Next, we are going to see how to encrypt or put a password to a file or folder compressed with 7-Zip, you will see in this simple tutorial how easy it is to encrypt the files that we are going to compress with this free application.
7-Zip is one of the great alternatives to WinRAR that stands out for being free and open source. Being even superior and safer than the app mentioned above. Even so, it does not enjoy the same popularity and many people do not know how 7-Zip works.
The way it works is actually the same, but improved. What can change the most is the interface of the app in question, the rest is all the same. However, 7-Zip has the great advantage that it is free.
A little further down we are going to see a tutorial for you to learn how to set a password to a file or folder that you decide to compress using the program. You will appreciate that it is too easy to do and shouldn’t take long to learn.
How to set password with 7-Zip
The great advantage that 7-Zip has over WinRAR is that it is completely free among other things. That is why many people prefer the first before the second. We are going to see step by step everything you need to know to set a password to a file created with 7-Zip.
What you should keep in mind is that you can only add a password when you are going to create a new compressed file. In case you want to add a password to one that is already compressed. You must proceed to unzip it and do it again.
- What we must do is open 7-Zip and select all the files that we want to compress. Then we are going to click on “Add” at the top left.
- The program offers us different compression programs which can be: ZIP, 7Z, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, WIN and XZ, then you can modify the rest of the options as you see fit.
- If you look at the box that appears below the right it says “Encryption” here we must add a password which we will have to write twice, it must be the same.
- Once you have everything ready. The only thing left to do is press “OK” and it will start creating the compressed file. Which, depending on the weight of the file (s), may take more or less time.
How to compress with password in 7-Zip
After the compression is finished, you will have the compressed file with 7-Zip and password. The names of the files you compressed will be visible when you open it with the program. However, they cannot be unzipped for use without the password.
This is a very interesting method to create backup copies of our files in a safe way. In this way we can save all the files we want in just one and nobody can access them unless they have the password.
This is ideal for when you want to save a large number of photos, videos or varied documents. Even to send by email. Can you imagine having to send 100 files in one email? Undoubtedly it would become crazy both to send them and to whoever receives them.
When you compress the files and add a password, the contents of the files are more protected and it is much easier to send and receive. Therefore, it is a huge advantage.
On many occasions, depending on the compression level of the files you selected, the program is capable of compressing the files a little more without losing quality or anything similar. In this way we can also save a bit of disk space.