In the past it was not possible to create Zip files and Unzip archives in Windows without installing third-party programs like WinZip and 7-Zip.
But now Windows has a built-in capability to Zip files and folders and Unzip archives from the command line using PowerShell.
Starting from Windows 8 with PowerShell 3.0 and .NET Framework 4.5 installed by default, it is possible to use a kind of
zip
and unzip
commands from the command line.The option to rename the ZIP file will be available right after you complete Step 1 above, but if you don't see that option, right-click the ZIP file and choose Rename. The ZIP file you made in the previous step is stored in the same folder where you selected the files and folders. BreeZip is a free tool to 'unarchive' many different kinds of archive files - an alternative to winrar free on Windows 10. It will open common formats such as ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip, TAR, Gzip and more. Distinctive features: - Open, browse, view and extract archive files - Decompression function supports different formats:.rar,.zip,.7z, ISO, Bzip2. Zip Builder, which can be used on both shell-script and edify-script installers, builds and signs Android ZIP-based installers from Windows folders, automatically detecting the installation type. Both Linux and macOS can create and extract a compressed archive file out of the box. As of Windows 10 build 17063 though, Tar is now packaged in the OS by default. This gives users a way to compress files without installing additional apps however, Tar only has a command line interface on Windows 10 and it cannot create or extract ZIP files.
Cool Tip: Download a file using PowerShell! Read more →
Zip/Unzip From The Command Line In Windows
Depending on the version of PowerShell there are different ways to Zip files and folders and Unzip archives in Windows from the command line.
To determine a version of PowerShell on your machine, execute:
PowerShell 5.0 (Windows 10) and greater
Starting from PowerShell 5.0 (Windows 10), it is possible to Zip files and folders and Unzip archives in Windows using Compress-Archive and Expand-Archive PowerShell commands.
Zip a file or a folder from the command line in Windows:
Zip all files in a folder:
Unzip an archive from the command line in Windows:
Windows 10 Zip Utility
PowerShell 3.0 (Windows 8) and greater
Starting from PowerShell 3.0 (Windows 8), it is possible to Zip folders and Unzip archives in Windows from the command line using the special methods in PowerShell.
Create Zip Archive Windows 10 File
Zip all files in a folder from the command line in Windows:
Unzip an archive from the command line in Windows:
Would you like to prevent unauthorized people from accessing sensitive data that you store on data servers and shared computers, or send via email? Then it’s best to use password-protected archive files, like those in ZIP format.
You can password protect ZIP files on both Windows 10 and macOS. However, the range of functions provided by your system’s password-protection tools are limited. For this reason, we recommend using external software. Free radionics software for mac.
Password Protect ZIP Files with Windows System Tools
Microsoft Windows 10 provides a feature for password protecting files and folders which is integrated in the operating system. Windows password protection can also protect ZIP files from unauthorized access, without having to use third-party software. To activate password protection for your files, follow these steps:
Glock model 19 serial numbers. Windows password protection is only available in the editions Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, Education, and Enterprise, not in Windows 10 Home.
Step 1: Using the right mouse button, click on the ZIP file that you would like to password protect.
Step 2: In the shortcut menu, select the “Properties” option to open the file properties.
Create Zip Archive Windows 10 Free
Step 3: In the “General” tab, click on “Advanced” in order to open the “Advanced Attribute” dialog window.
Step 4: In the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window, select the check box next to “Encrypt contents to secure data”.
Step 5: Close the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window by clicking on “OK” and save the change in file properties by clicking on “OK” or “Apply”.
The file icon now displays a padlock. This indicates that the corresponding file is password protected. But what does this actually mean?
After you have activated password protection, you’ll note that you can still open the file without a password prompt. File content can also be displayed and processed without changes. Nevertheless, the file is password protected – with a key generated by Windows that is stored in your user account.
You have access to the file as long as you are logged into your user account. By contrast, other users will be denied access. This can be very practical in many situations. However, only in a few application cases does it serve as a password-protected ZIP file. For instance, this feature is not intended for sending password-protected ZIP files. For this, we recommend using a compression program with an encryption feature.
Encrypting File Folders with macOS Standard Tools
Though it’s true the Apple operating system macOS does not offer any native features for password protecting ZIP files, you can however protect the directories – in which ZIP files are located – as image files. To do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a new folder in Finder – macOS’ standard file manager.
Step 2: Relocate all ZIP files that you’d like to protect into the folder you just created.
Step 3: Open the macOS hard drive service program. You can do this via Spotlight search.
Step 4: Click on “File” in the menu bar above and choose “Image from Folder” under “New Image”.
Step 5: Choose the folder you created at the beginning that has the files you wish to protect and click on “Open”.
![Archive Archive](https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2017/02/windows-10-sendto-zip-folder.jpg?itok=Xs-aiStA)
Step 6: Give the image a name and choose a save location.
Step 7: Choose the type of encryption:
- 128-Bit-AES encryption (recommended)
- 256-Bit-AES encryption (more secure, but slower)
Step 8: Enter a password of your choosing and confirm entry by clicking on “Choose”.
Step 9: Make sure that the image format is set to “Compressed” and complete the process by clicking on “Save”.
The encrypted image is created in .dmg format in the save location you specified.
Select the image by double-clicking on it and entering your password to access the password-protected file.
An open .dmg file is displayed as an integrated drive in Finder.
Eject the image via Finder if you are no longer using the protected files. Otherwise, they will remain accessible without a password prompt.
To make sure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, you should delete the unencrypted original data.
Password Protecting ZIP Files with Third-Party Software
Since the options for each operating system are limited, we recommend using a third-party program. For example, we have chosen 7-Zip, a free packer application with a high compression rate and reliable encryption. It creates archive files in the 7z, TAR, WIM, and ZIP formats. The program’s encryption feature is available for 7z and ZIP files.
Follow these steps to create a password-protected archive file for any file folder of your choosing:
Step 1: Download the open-source 7-Zip compression program from the provider’s website and install the software on your system.
7-Zip is automatically integrated into the Windows Explorer shortcut menu.
Step 2: Using the right mouse button, click on the file folder that you would like to encrypt.
Step 3: Choose “7-Zip” in the shortcut menu and click on “Add to archives…” in the pop-up menu.
Step 4: In the packer program’s configuration mask, you’ll find the required settings for the save location, archive format, compression strength, compression method, and encryption.
Enter a password, then enter it again.
In archive format, 7z is available with AES-256-bit encryption. This can also be used for password protecting ZIP files. What’s more, the latter can be encrypted with the ZipCrypto algorithm.
Opening an archive file that has been password protected with 7-Zip requires you to enter a password.
Windows users often utilize the WinZip packer program for password protecting ZIP files. The programs WinRAR, Peazip, Bandizip, and Ashampoo Zip Free also offer encryption features. We provide you with a detailed comparison of the range of features in our article on the most popular WinZip alternatives.