如果您习惯于使用文件和文档，那么您可能也习惯于使用ZIP 文件(ZIP file)。您可以在任何地方遇到他们：在您下载文件的网站上，在您的同事通过电子邮件发送的文件上。ZIP 文件(ZIP file)很常见，因为它们减小了文件或文件夹的大小，因此更容易通过 Internet 或其他方式发送它们。尽管默认情况下ZIP 文件(ZIP file)存档不受窥探保护，但您可以通过添加密码来保护其内容，否则它们将无法打开。以下是在 Windows中使用密码保护ZIP档案的两种方法：
注意：如果您使用(NOTE:)Windows内置的工具创建ZIP 文件，则(ZIP file)密码保护功能(password-protection feature)不可用。您需要为此任务使用第三方文件归档应用程序。
1.使用 7-Zip对ZIP 文件(ZIP file)进行密码保护
7-Zip应用程序提供了一种在(7-Zip)Windows中对(Windows)ZIP文件进行密码保护的最快、最简单的方法。如果您的Windows PC(Windows PC)上尚未安装7-Zip，请从其官方网站下载(download it from its official website)并安装。
然后，右键单击（或点击并按住(tap and hold)）要压缩为受密码保护的ZIP 文件(ZIP file)的文件或文件夹。在上下文菜单中，转到7-Zip，然后转到“添加到存档...”("Add to archive...")。
7-Zip 打开“添加到存档”("Add to Archive") 对话框窗口(dialog window)。这里有很多可用的选项，包括ZIP 文件(ZIP file)的名称、压缩级别(compression level)等。首先，为(First)存档(Archive)选择一个名称，然后选择zip作为“存档格式”。("Archive format.")
接下来，请务必仔细查看“加密(Encryption)”部分：它负责密码保护(password protection)。在内部，在(Inside)“输入密码”("Enter password")和“重新输入密码”("Reenter password")字段中输入您要用于新ZIP 文件(ZIP file)的密码两次。
最后，确保为“加密方法”选择("Encryption method.")ZipCrypto 。尽管从安全角度来看(security perspective)AES-256方法更好，但Windows操作系统默认不支持它。
这意味着您向其发送受密码保护的ZIP 文件(ZIP file)的人无法使用文件资源管理器(File Explorer)或Windows 资源管理(Windows Explorer)器打开它，即使他们知道密码。如果您选择AES-256，任何试图打开受密码保护的文件的人都需要 7-Zip 或类似的压缩工具(compression tool)。
完成后，单击或点击确定(OK)并等待创建受密码保护的存档。然后，您可以将其发送给任何人。别人不知道你设置的密码是无法打开的。
2.使用WinRAR密码保护ZIP 文件(ZIP file)
另一个著名的文件压缩应用程序(file compression app)WinRAR提供(WinRAR)了一种类似的密码保护ZIP文件的方法。如果您的 PC 上还没有它，请访问WinRAR 下载页面(WinRAR download page)，下载并安装该应用程序。安装WinRAR(WinRAR)后，选择要使用密码保护的文件和文件夹，然后右键单击（或点击并按住(tap and hold)）它们。在上下文菜单中，单击或点击“添加到存档...”("Add to archive...")选项。
在“存档名称和参数”("Archive name and parameters")窗口中，选择您要为ZIP 文件(ZIP file)指定的名称，然后确保从“存档格式”("Archive format")选项中选择ZIP 。
如果需要，您还可以更改其他压缩参数。但是，您必须单击/点击“设置密码...”("Set password…")按钮。
在相应的字段中输入您要用于ZIP 文件的密码两次。(ZIP file)然后，如果您想使用File Explorer或Windows Explorer打开受密码保护的(Windows Explorer)ZIP 文件，请选择(ZIP file)“ZIP legacy encryption”。如果您不启用此选项，任何试图打开受密码保护的文件的人都需要WinRAR、7-Zip或类似的压缩工具(compression tool)。完成后，单击/点击OK。
然后您所要做的就是等到WinRAR创建ZIP 文件(ZIP file)。它受密码保护，因此只有您和知道密码的人才能访问其内容。
如何打开受密码保护的ZIP 文件(ZIP file)
如果您选择使用 Windows 支持的ZIP 加密(ZIP encryption)（7-Zip 中的ZipCrypto 选项，或(ZipCrypto option)WinRAR中的(WinRAR)ZIP 传统(ZIP legacy)加密）对ZIP 文件(ZIP file)进行密码保护，您可以查看存档中找到的文件的名称，而无需输入密码。在_文件资源管理器(Explorer)（_或Windows 资源管理器）中(Windows Explorer))双击(Double-click)（或双击）受密码保护的ZIP 文件(ZIP file)以打开存档。但是，除非您提供正确的密码(correct password)，否则您无法打开ZIP 文件(ZIP file)中的文件。
当您双击或双击在受密码保护的ZIP 文件(ZIP file)中找到的文件时，_文件资源管理器(Explorer)（_或Windows 资源管理器）(Windows Explorer))会要求您输入密码。键入它，然后按OK。
如果您输入正确的密码(correct password)，您可以看到您要打开的文件的内容。此外(Furthermore)，如果您要提取ZIP 文件(ZIP file)中的所有文件和文件夹，请按照本指南中的步骤操作：如何在Windows中解压缩文件（使用内置工具）。
您更喜欢哪种方法在Windows中使用密码保护您的 ZIP 文件？
这些是密码保护ZIP文件的简单方法。当然，还有其他压缩工具可以做同样的事情，但 7-Zip 和WinRAR是最受欢迎的，而且它们也是免费的。你更喜欢哪一个(Which one)？您是否知道您想推荐的其他方法，用于使用密码保护ZIP文件？(ZIP)在下面的评论部分中分享(Share)您的意见。
2 ways to create a password-protected ZIP file in Windows
If you are used to working with files and docυments, you are also probably used to working with ZIP files. You meet thеm eνerywhere: on the websites where you downloаd files, to the documents your colleagues send through email. ZIP files are common becausе they reduce the size of files or folders and thus make it easier to send them over the internet or other means. Although ZIP file archives are not proteсted by default from prying eyes, you can secure thеir contents by adding passwords without which they cannot be opened. Herе are two ways tо password-protect ZIP archives, in Windows:
NOTE: The password-protection feature is not available if you create a ZIP file with the tools built into Windows. You need to use third-party file archiving apps for this task.
1. Password-protect a ZIP file using 7-Zip
The 7-Zip app offers one of the fastest and easiest ways to password-protect ZIP files in Windows. If you do not already have 7-Zip installed on your Windows PC, download it from its official website and install it.
Then, right-click (or tap and hold) on the files or folders that you want to compress into a password-protected ZIP file. In the contextual menu, go to 7-Zip and then to "Add to archive...".
7-Zip opens the "Add to Archive" dialog window. There are quite a few options available here, including the name of the ZIP file, the compression level and so on. First, choose a name for the Archive and select zip as the "Archive format."
Next, make sure that you take a good look at the Encryption section: it is the one responsible for the password protection. Inside, type the password that you want to use for the new ZIP file, twice, in the "Enter password" and "Reenter password" fields.
Finally, make sure you select ZipCrypto for the "Encryption method." Although the AES-256 method is better from a security perspective, it is not supported by default by Windows operating systems.
That means that the people to whom you send the password-protected ZIP file cannot open it using File Explorer or Windows Explorer, even if they know the password. If you choose AES-256, anyone who tries to open the password-protected file needs 7-Zip or a similar compression tool.
When you are done, click or tap OK and wait for the password-protected archive to be created. You can then send it to anyone. Others cannot open it without knowing the password that you have set.
2. Password-protect a ZIP file using WinRAR
A similar way to password-protect ZIP files is offered by another well-known file compression app, called WinRAR. If you do not have it on your PC yet, visit the WinRAR download page, download and install the app. After WinRAR is installed, select the file(s) and folder(s) that you want to password-protect and right-click (or tap and hold) on them. In the contextual menu, click or tap the "Add to archive..." option.
In the "Archive name and parameters" window, choose the name that you want to give to the ZIP file, and then make sure you select ZIP from the "Archive format" options.
If you want, you can also change the other compression parameters. However, what's essential is for you to click/tap the "Set password…" button.
Type the password that you want to use for the ZIP file, twice, in the appropriate fields. Then, select "ZIP legacy encryption" if you want to open the password-protected ZIP file with File Explorer or Windows Explorer. If you do not enable this option, anyone who tries to open the password-protected file needs WinRAR, 7-Zip or a similar compression tool. When done, click/tap OK.
Then all you have to do is wait until WinRAR creates the ZIP file. It is password-protected so only you and the people who know the password can access its contents.
How to open a password-protected ZIP file
If you choose to password-protect ZIP files using the Windows-supported ZIP encryption (the ZipCrypto option in 7-Zip, or the ZIP legacy encryption in WinRAR), you can see the names of the files found inside the archive, without having to enter the password. Double-click (or double-tap) on a password-protected ZIP file in _File Explorer (_or Windows Explorer) to open the archive. However, you cannot open the files found inside the ZIP file, unless you provide the correct password.
When you double-click or double-tap on a file found inside the password-protected ZIP file, _File Explorer (_or Windows Explorer) asks you to enter the password for it. Type it and then press OK.
If you enter the correct password, you can see the contents of the file that you want to open. Furthermore, if you are going to extract all the files and folders found inside the ZIP file, follow the steps from this guide: How to unzip a file in Windows (with built-in tools).
Which method do you prefer for password protecting your ZIP files in Windows?
These are easy ways to password-protect ZIP files. Sure, there are other compression tools out there that can do the same thing, but 7-Zip and WinRAR are the most popular, and they are also free. Which one do you prefer? Do you know of other methods that you would like to recommend, for protecting ZIP files with passwords? Share your opinion, in the comments section below.
