7-Zip is a free file compression program that also allows you to encrypt and password protect the files you compress.
View our 7z FAQs, follow the instructions below or view the instructions in more detail to encrypt and password protect your files.
Open the 7-Zip file manager
- Locate the folder that contains your files.
- Right click on it.
- Select '7-Zip', and select 'Add to archive'.
The add to archive dialog box appears. Select your settings:
- Archive: Name the file created through the compression/encryption process.
- Small box with three dots in it. Choose the location of archive file created by the zip.
- Archive format: Different compression rates. Choose Zip for portability to Macs or home computers that do not have 7Zip or choose 7z for better compression and encryption for users of 7z (all SGUL PCs have 7Zip installed)+6.
- Compression level: Select store for large files (This will skip the compression process that can take up to long periods depending on the size of the files.) or leave as normal.
- Split to volumes, bytes: If you want to make sure your compressed files fit a DVD, click on the dropdown arrow and select size. 7zip will then split the archive into multiple files if the archive is larger than your specified byte numbers.
- Encryption: Password protect the archive file created by 7Zip, by choosing a password and entering it.
- Encryption method: Select AES-256 for 7z method or ZipCrypto for the Zip method.
- OK button: Click to starts the compression/encryption process.
Sharing encrypted files
Always send the password to your encrypted file(s) in a separate email or call the person.