For details on AES encryption method, please refer to from Wikipedia.

In particular, encrypted files can be deleted from a Zip file, or renamed within a Zip file while new, unencrypted files can be added to a Zip file without a password.

7-Zip uses password-based encryption, and even a strong encryption algorithm like AES is of little or no benefit if the passwords you use are weak, or you do not keep track of them in a secure manner.

To open the file, you will need to provide the password.

Now the file is encrypted with password.

Then enter your password (We highly recommend to set password with more than 8 characters which consists of alphabets and numbers), and choose the 'Encryption method' you prefer.

Make sure to choose ' zip' for the archive format.

Then right click the selection and choose ' 7-Zip' -> ' Add to archive.' from the menu.

Select the file(s) you need to compress.

To setup a password for ZIP file, please follow the steps below (screen capture based on 7-Zip): Encryption is more securethan passwords because it scrambles and unscramblesdata using an algorithm and a key. The contents of the files that you want to protect are encrypted based on a password that you specify. This will open the Add to archive dialog. Step 2: Right-click on the file (s) that you want to password protect, select 7-Zip, and then click Add to archive option. 7-Zip's encryption facility protects sensitive documents from unauthorized viewing. Step 1: Download and install the 7-Zip application if not already installed on your computer.

Password protect zip folder windows 10