How to Encrypt a Folder Using 7‐Zip

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Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Encrypting a folder with 7-Zip is a simple way to protect sensitive files or just files that you want hidden with a password. This method compresses your folder into an encrypted archive that can only be opened with the correct password. It works on Windows and requires only free software. This is a beginner-friendly guide. Follow the steps below, and you will have no problem.

Steps

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1
Download 7-Zip. Open your web browser and go to the official 7-Zip website (https://7-zip.org/). Click the download link that matches your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Make sure you download from the official website. Unofficial mirrors can have malware inserted in them. Unfortunately, as 7-Zip is open source software (meaning anyone can modify the source code), it is relatively easy for someone to insert malware and reupload an installer.
2
Run the installer. Locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to start the installation.

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3
Install the program. Click Install, then wait for the setup to finish. When complete, click Close.
4
Locate the folder you want to encrypt. Find the folder on your computer that contains the files you want to protect.
5
Right-click the folder. Right-click the folder to open the context menu. If you are using Windows 11 and have the modern context menu enabled, you should click "Show more options" to open the classic context menu.
6
Open the 7-Zip menu. Hover your mouse over 7-Zip in the menu, then click Add to archive…
7
Choose an archive format. In the archive window, select 7z or zip as the archive format. The 7z format offers stronger encryption.
- Note that if you encrypt as a RAR, 7-Zip will place the encrypted files in a new archive (either a ZIP or a 7z). This is due to licensing restrictions with the RAR format. If you need to encrypt RAR files, you will have to use WinRAR.
8
Enter a password. Find the encryption section. Type a strong password in the password field and re-enter it to confirm.
9
Enable file name encryption. Check the box labeled "Encrypt file names" for added security. If you wish to do so, you can change the grade of encryption here. It is generally advised to use AES-256 for encryption as it provides the highest level of security (militaries and governments use it) and it is widely considered a "gold standard" of encryption. Current supercomputers would take billions of years to brute force it.^{[1]
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10
Click OK to create the archive. Click OK to start the encryption process. 7-Zip will create a new encrypted file in the same location as your folder.
11
Test the newly encrypted file. Right-click the new archive file. Choose 7-Zip → Open archive, then when prompted, enter your password to confirm it works.
12
Open the encrypted file. Once the password is entered correctly, your folder will pop up. Click it and then click into the file you want to view.
13
Delete the original folder. Once you confirm the archive works, you may delete the original unencrypted folder so no one can access the information you wanted to hide.
- Remember that data recovery software may still be able to recover the deleted folder. If you are working with files that must be deleted permanently, you should securely erase them, and possibly the entire hard drive if necessary.
- Make sure that the files that need to be protected are the ones in the archive before you securely erase, as you won't be able to retrieve them later on.
14
Test the encrypted file to make sure it decrypts properly. You should preferably do this before securely erasing; use the file and insert the password to make sure it decrypts properly. There is a chance that something could go wrong during the encryption.

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Tips

Use a strong, hard-to-guess password.

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Store your password somewhere safe. If you forget or lose it, you will not be able to open the folder. At the same time, make sure the password isn't stored somewhere that anyone who isn't authorised to have it might come across it.

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Warnings

While difficult to do so, it is possible to brute force encrypted files, especially if you use a lower grade of encryption. Using the highest level of encryption and a strong password negates this, as even the most powerful supercomputers would take billions of years (longer than the current age of the universe) to brute force a file. Unless there is a specific reason to use a lower-grade encryption, you should always use at least 256-bit encryption.

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With the above said, if you use a password that has been repeated for other accounts, you increase the chances that the file could be breached.

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