Protecting your compressed folders: Three ways to do it and additional data protection suggestions

If you need to store and organize large amounts of files for a long time, compressing files can reduce transfer time. You may also need to set password protection for the compressed file. This article will introduce three ways to protect compressed folders on Windows 10/11 systems.

Compressing multiple files into one zip file is very convenient because it can compress files and facilitate transmission. To ensure the security of compressed files and folders, you can add password protection. So, how to set a password for a Zip file? Don't worry, it's easy! Let's get started!

How to protect compressed folders on Windows 10/11?

Method 1: Use Encrypted File System (EFS)

Encrypted File System (EFS) can encrypt compressed data and provide a decryption key to open it. Please follow these steps:

1. Right-click the compressed folder you want to encrypt and select Properties from the context menu.

2. Under the General tab, click Advanced.

3. Check Encrypt content to protect data, and click OK to save the changes.

4. In Encryption Warning, select Encrypt Files and Parent Folders (Recommended) or Encrypt Files Only.

Method 2: Use WinRAR

WinRAR is commonly used to compress and decompress files, and it also allows you to encrypt compressed folders. The steps are as follows:

1. Open the compressed file in WinRAR.

2. Click Tools and select Convert Archive from the context menu (you can also press Alt Q to access the content archive window).

3. Click Compress, and then click Set Password.

4. Enter and verify your password, and then confirm the action.

Method 3: Use 7-Zip

7-Zip is another program that can manage compressed folders and files. Therefore, you can also use this tool to protect your zip folder. The operation steps are as follows:

1. Right-click the folder or file you want to encrypt and select 7-Zip > Add to Archive.

2. In the Encryption section, enter and re-enter your password.

3. Save changes.

Additional tips: Better ways to compress folders and file protection

In addition to password protection, there is another way to protect data - creating backups of important data. With a backup copy, you can easily recover data when your computer encounters serious system problems. To do this, it is recommended that you try MiniTool ShadowMaker.

This is a free Windows backup software that supports backup files, folders, disks, partitions and systems in just a few simple steps. Additionally, it allows you to sync files and clone hard drives. Now let's see how to create backups using this tool.

1. Run MiniTool ShadowMaker and go to the Backup page.

2. Go to Source > Folders and Files to select the file or folder you want to protect. To select the storage path for the backup image file, go to Destination.

3. MiniTool ShadowMaker allows you to set password protection for backup images, which will add an additional layer of protection to your data. To do this, click Options > Backup Options > Password.

4. Open "Enable Password Protection" > Enter and confirm your password > Select "Data Encryption" type > Click "OK" to return to the Backup page.

5. Click Backup Now to start the process immediately.

Summarize

How to set a password for a Zip file on Windows 10/11? Here are three free methods: Encrypted file system, WinRAR, and 7-Zip. In addition, it is a good habit to create backups of critical data regularly.

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