Opening password protected zip / 7-zip

[DCUK6]

Hi All,

 

Used to create a password protected zip file using 7-zip and could send to staff and also outside agencies.

 

With Win 7 they could open it up without 7-zip and it will prompt for a password.

 

Windows 10 doesnt seem to do this however.

 

Is there a way to make it without install 7zip on all computers?

[3s-gtech]

IME the only archive that 7-Zip can make that doesn't need 7-Zip to re-open on Windows (ZIP) doesn't actually encrypt the structure (only file contents), so it's actually pretty weak. The 7z archive is far more secure but obviously needs the software.

[Arthur]

Is there a way to make it without install 7-zip on all computers?

Create a self-extracting 7-zip archive? This will create an EXE which can be opened without having 7-zip installed.

 

 

Obviously you will now have the problem of how to send it to the recipients since almost all e-mail providers will block executable attachments.

[LeMarchand]

You can create self-decrypting exe files with 7Zip. Obviously you'd need to change the file extension to email them (and the recipient would have to know how to change it back).

 

Keep getting ninja'd today .

[DCUK6]

Thanks all, i know i run Applocker and the LEA does to so could be a problem but will look into it.

 

Sure im not dreaming when i used to do it as a zip file.

Strucute doesnt matter so much, as long as the contents are secure.

 

At the minute the LEA has no secure email/file system so me and the SIMS manager have both refused to send the files how they want.

[LeMarchand]

Sure im not dreaming when i used to do it as a zip file.

Strucute doesnt matter so much, as long as the contents are secure.

 

Strucute? You can create password protected zips with 7Zip that will open in W10, but I think @3s-gtech is correct in saying it's not as secure.

[3s-gtech]

Don't think you're dreaming at all - I've done it as an encrypted .zip on Windows 7 but not tested on a later OS yet. Probably get the same result.

[LeMarchand]

Don't think you're dreaming at all - I've done it as an encrypted .zip on Windows 7 but not tested on a later OS yet. Probably get the same result.

 

I seem to recall you could do it natively in earlier windows, but I can't see how to password protect a zip in W10 without 3rd party software. It will open them, though.

 

All this talk of dreams has got me worried that I'm being incepted.

 

[3s-gtech]

Only ever done it with 7-Zip, though I'm sure other software can do it. I was well chuffed that I'd made a solution that we could use with exam boards etc - alas, an encrypted .zip is about as secure as naming it 'DO NOT OPEN BECAUSE HAX'.

[DCUK6]

Well we sent it off and the LEA couldnt open.

 

But after a chat we agreed that they need to give us access to their encrypted messaging system.