Using 7-zip for Windows
Download 7-zip for Windows
You can download 7-zip from the manufacturer's website:
Creating an encrypted Zip archive
Right-click on the file or folder you want to add to an encrypted archive. Select 7-Zip, then Add to archive…
Change the Archive format to zip.
Change the Encryption method to AES-256.
Enter your chosen password for the encrypted archive. Guidance on making up secure, strong passwords:
Re-enter the password to confirm.
Click OK.
The encrypted zip archive file will be created in the same location as the original file or folder. It can now be sent securely via email as an attachment.
Use a medium other than email to transmit the password to the intended recipient.
Extracting an encrypted Zip archive
Right-click on the zip archive. (Note: If you received the zip file as an attachment, save this to a folder first, then right-click the file.)
Select 7-Zip, then Extract files…
Select the destination for the extracted files. Enter the password.
Click Ok. Your files will be decrypted and extracted to the location you previously specified.
This article was published on Aug 8, 2011