password protecting a Zip file in windows 7

So I am trying to figure out how to password protect a zip file using the built in zipping utility in windows 7.  In windows xp and vista once you have created a zipped file you open the file and select file>add password.

In windows 7 (currently using pro) there is no "add password" option, anyone have any idea why this is?  Or is there some other way of adding a password to a windows zip file that I am not aware of?  Am I being forced to add a 3rd party zip app in order to password protect files? 

if so my other question is why would such a simple/convenient feature be removed from an operating system that is suppose to be superior then the previous?

March 10th, 2011 4:24pm

According to the Windows 7 Help file there is no such capability in windows 7:

Can I protect files or folders with a password?

 

No, you can't use a password to protect files and folders in Windows. However, some programs that run on Windows allow you to protect individual files with a password. For more information, check the Help for the program you're using.

There are other ways to protect your files and folders in Windows. You can encrypt your files using Encrypting File System (EFS), manually specify who can access the folders or files by setting permissions, or hide them. Choose your method based on how secure the folders or files need to be. Encrypting is the most secure, while hiding the folders is the least secure.

For more information about EFS, see What is Encrypting File System (EFS)? For more information about permissions, see What are permissions?

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March 10th, 2011 6:29pm

Bry, Download windows XP mode and use the password protection in there (you might already have it or will use it in the furture).

It will still list all the files but you cannot open them with out the password


  • Edited by Keith Christensen Thursday, March 08, 2012 11:42 PM
  • Proposed as answer by pr8706 Tuesday, March 17, 2015 3:41 PM
March 8th, 2012 11:41pm

Bry, Download windows XP mode and use the password protection in there (you might already have it or will use it in the furture).

It will still list all the files but you cannot open them with out the password


That's really a brilliant solution!

Move all your Windows 7 files to the XP Mode so you can password protect the files.

Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!

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March 9th, 2012 11:56am

Just as BRILLIANT!!!! as the idea of removing this feature from Windows 7. No, let me correct it. Removing the feature is ABSOLUTELY MORE BRILLIANT!!!!.

Good Job.

May 23rd, 2012 2:00pm

I have some poor guy who can't get the files in my emails unless they are zipped with a password. This, of course, it because Windows is so easily corrupted. 

Microsoft!!!! They never miss a chance to disappoint. Stick a fork in them, they're done.

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June 21st, 2012 2:40am

Yes at every turn possible Microsoft will remove a feature that is used by many or move things around to make it hard to use or support.  My team is currently presenting alternatives to Office and Windows due to this ever changing crap software. Way to go Microsoft, Linux and Apple are about to make it easier to work at our company. ;-) 
November 30th, 2012 3:46pm

ya...it sure is great when you upgrade, you move backwards - Brilliant M$!
  • Edited by kelloggfan Wednesday, January 09, 2013 8:23 PM
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January 9th, 2013 8:23pm

7-Zip is a free solution that I have used for years: http://www.7-zip.org/
January 9th, 2013 9:09pm

Seriously? That's your friend's problem, not Microsoft's. Way to blame the first thing you can think of.
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July 26th, 2013 12:28am

Perfectly said.

It's amazing how people will blame Microsoft for their inability to use a computer.

September 26th, 2013 3:39am

Simple answer : Select the file > Right click > Send to 'compressed' folder

Once compressed > open the Zip file > Click tool and >Encrypt  ... hope that what you after

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October 30th, 2013 2:01am

This is a MS problem.  I send out my personal info/financial info as a pdf zipped up and password protected, just so that it is not plain text passing the internet and in case I typo the email address.

The feature was there, now, I can't find it.  This is the start button in Windows 8.  This is 5 free CALS on Server 2012.  This is making the oem sticker so small the you now need a magnifying glass to read the key.  And, to go against the advertising giant - - no, this is not my Windows.  I did not make this.  I wanted the password feature.  To call this a user issue, you are part of the problem, get out of the solutions area.

November 19th, 2013 11:13pm

7-zip

Riddled with AD WARE - AVOID


  • Edited by Matt OD Friday, January 17, 2014 4:13 PM
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January 17th, 2014 4:12pm

Password protected zip files are extremely simple to crack - especially those that are created using XP mode/7-Zip.

Sending something to someone outside your organization via e-mail is akin to mailing cash; it happens, but it's not secure, and document control is out the window. Assume nothing sent via e-mail is secure.

EFS, or some file host-and-share like Egnyte (that has its own security flaws) or the like are the best-case solutions.

February 12th, 2014 5:11pm

7-zip

Riddled with AD WARE - AVOID

                                                                                   Matt OD Christie

It is not riddled with adware if you download the file directly from http://www.7-zip.org/  You get the adware versions when you download it from other websites.  I have been downloading and using 7-Zip for many years and have not once had a version that included any adware.
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February 12th, 2014 5:45pm

I have used 7zip and it does password protect the zip file but the original files are still accessible

If I delete the originals as per the instructions then all information is lost on the zip files also.

What am I doing wrong

February 17th, 2014 2:37pm

I too just now learned the hard way that Windows 7 cannot extract password-encrypted ZIP files I created with WinZip, when I sent one to a Windows 7 user.  So: WinZip can create and extract password-protected ZIP files, and it runs under Windows.  You can download it from http://www.winzip.com/

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April 25th, 2014 1:12am

I too just now learned the hard way that Windows 7 cannot extract password-encrypted ZIP files I created with WinZip, when I sent one to a Windows 7 user.  So: WinZip can create and extract password-protected ZIP files, and it runs under Windows.  You can download it from http://www.winzip.com/

WinRar encrypted Zip files can be opened by Windows 7 using just explorer.exe

Zip files created in 7-Zip can be opened in explorer.exe as long as you use the less secure "ZipCrypto" option and not AES-256 which is more secure but less compatible.


November 24th, 2014 2:14pm

Sarcasm?
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March 17th, 2015 3:42pm

one can  easily create .zip file from selected files/folders in file explorer with 7-zip:

right click on the selected files, expand 7-zip menu, select add to archive...

then in the popup windows review/set

  • the archive name
  • be sure to use zip format when sending to someone without 7-zip or can't use sfx format
  • set the password
  • if desired to encrypt file names also, add -mhe to the parameters

that is all to using 7-zip to encrypt

April 18th, 2015 2:10am

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