How to password protect a zip file in Windows 11?

You’re thinking about password protecting a zip file? Good move for keeping your stuff secure! But, like everything, there are a few downsides to consider before you lock it up. Based on my experience and some common issues folks run into, here’s the lowdown on the disadvantages:

1. Password Management
This is probably the biggest bummer: if you forget the password, it’s game over for getting into that zip file! I’ve personally lost track of passwords before, and it’s super frustrating. You could try some recovery tools, but who knows if they’ll work? So, write that password down or keep it in a password manager!

2. Limited Compatibility
If you use the AES-256 encryption (which is smart and recommended), it’s generally supported by most modern software like 7-Zip and WinRAR, but if a friend or colleague is using older or less common zip software, they might be stuck without being able to open your file. I’ve had a few awkward situations where I zipped a file for someone and they couldn’t get in because they were rocking some ancient software.

3. Encrypting Filenames
To password protecting a zip file. While AES-256 encrypts the contents of the zip, it won’t encrypt the filenames by default. That means anyone can see the names of your files even if they can’t access the contents. If you’re trying to keep everything super private, this can be a little annoying. I remember zipping some sensitive documents and realizing that, while they were secure, the names were still out there!