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This article will show you how to password protect zip file on Windows or Mac. Zip files are a quick and easy way to send big files or many files at once, usually through email. Even though the technology behind Zip files is quite old, they are still a great way to share big files or many files at once in easy-to-carry folders.
Instead of sharing one big file or a few files one at a time, you can Zip the files to make them smaller and then share the Zip file. Several files and folders can be compressed and put together in a single ZIP file. You can put a password on a ZIP file if you want to send multiple files safely for business, financial, or other reasons.
No matter what operating system is used to try to open a ZIP file with a password, the password will work. So, if you make a password-protected ZIP file on your Mac and send it to someone who uses iOS, Android, or Windows, that person will still need the right password to unzip the file and see what’s inside.
How to password protect zip file on Windows or Mac
Password protect an Excel file
On Windows:
- Open the Excel file you want to secure with a password.
- Select File.
- Open Info.
- Pick the Protect Workbook option.
- Click Encrypt with Password.
- Type in and verify your password.
- Click OK.
On macOS:
- Open the Excel file you wish to password protect.
- Click the File option at the top toolbar.
- Click Passwords…
- You can set a password to open or modify the file.
- Verify passwords and click OK.
Password protect a ZIP file
On Windows:
To password-protect ZIP files on Windows, you need third-party tools like WinRAR.
- Download and install WinRAR.
- Select files you wish to compress into a ZIP file.
- Rick-click and pick Add to archive.
- Select Archive format as ZIP and click Set password…
- Type in your password and click OK.
- Click OK again.
- You will need to enter a password to extract the ZIP file.
On macOS:
On a Mac, adding a password while compressing a ZIP file is the best way to protect it with a password. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official Apple Support site.
- Open Terminal.
- Type cd [location]. Location indicates where your new ZIP file will appear.
- So, it can be cd desktop.
- Enter zip -er nameofyourfiletobe.zip and add a space.
- In the same line, drag and drop the folder you wish to compress and password protect. Click the Return button.
- Enter and verify the password you want and click the Return button again.
- You see your compressed and password protected file placed on your desktop.
FAQs
You can use a password to protect items if you put them in a zip file first. In Windows Explorer, select the files you want to put into a zipped file and right-click on them. Choose Send to, and then choose Zip folder (compressed). Double-click the downloaded file, then choose File and Add Password.
Right-click the files or folders you want to Zip and choose “Add to Archive.” Enter a name for the new Zip file you want to make and choose the Encryption and Password choices. When asked, type in your password and click “OK.”