University Systems help centre
Encrypt files using 7-Zip
7-Zip can package a single file, multiple files, or an entire folder into a passphrase-protected and encrypted package.
- With 7-Zip Open, select the file(s) and/or folder(s) you wish to encrypt.
- Right click on the selected file(s) and/or folder(s) and click 7-Zip, and from the side tab click Add to archive.
- In the "Archive" field, enter the name of the file or archive you want created.
- From the "Archive format" field, select zip.
- Under the "Encryption" section, enter a strong password or passphrase in the "Enter passphrase" field and again in the "Reenter passphrase" field.
- Ensure the "Encryption method" is AES-256. Onced finished, click OK.
- A file with a .zip extension has now been created. The passphrase is now required to open and decrypt the archive. Note that the files and folders selected in step one have been copied into the archive and the original files remain as they are and are not encrypted.