Select the first option, 'Encrypt the file and its parent folder' and click OK.

In fact, you might even have a hard time deciding which option is the best. It'll ask you if you want to only encrypt the folder or if you want to include the subfolders and files in the folder as well. It’s easy to do that in Windows 10 because there are so many dedicated tools to protect your files and folders.

Once you do this, a confirmation window will pop up.

Check the option 'Encrypt Contents to Secure Data' at the bottom of Advanced Attributes.

The Advanced Attributes dialogue box will appear.

Go to the General Tab and click on Advanced in the property settings window.

Click on Properties to open up the properties settings of the folder.

Navigate to the compressed folder you intend to password protect and right-click on it.

Encrypting a ZIP File in Windowsīefore encrypting ZIP files in Windows, compress your files into. Let's take a look at how Windows 10's single system encryption works before discussing password-protecting files using third-party software. Thus, either you are using Windows 10 Home, or you plan to share the password-protected files on the Internet, you will need to use third-party software or tools to enable encryption.

Protected folder windows 10