There are different ways to open a password-protected ZIP file in Windows. Windows has its own file compression and decompression tool, that although it does not let you generate these types of files, it lets you open them. You can also opt for software developed by third parties. We will show you how to do it with the tool integrated into Windows and with two of the main compression software in the market, WinRAR and 7-Zip.
Extracting a password-protected ZIP using Windows 10
Using Windows' integrated file compression and decompression tool, it is possible to open password-protected ZIP files. First, search for the file on your PC and double-click it. That should let you see its contents.
Content of a ZIP file viewed with Windows’ native tool
Issues may occur when opening the ZIP files or extracting them to a new folder on your computer. In both cases, Windows will display a pop-up window warning that the files are password protected. Type the password in the Password text box and press Ok on the right side.
Enter the password and press OK
Extracting password-protected ZIP files using WinRAR
WinRAR is a popular file compression and decompression software that supports password-protected ZIP files. First, you must make sure you have the software installed on your PC. If it is not installed, download the executable from the green Download button below.
Once you have the software installed and ready to use, find the password-protected ZIP file you want to open. Now, you have two different options to open it. With a double click, you can see the content of the file as you would with the system's integrated tool.
Inside a password-protected ZIP viewed with WinRAR
When you try to open a specific file or move it to another directory on your hard drive, you will be asked for the password. Type the password in the text box and click Ok at the bottom of the window.
Write the password and press OK
Your second option is to use the context menu options. When you install WinRAR and if you do not specify otherwise, its options will be added to the Windows context menu. Find the file, right-click it and select the option you are interested in.
Options available in WinRAR’s contextual menu
Depending on the option chosen, you will be able to see the content as in the previous case or the same window will appear directly for you to enter your password. Do it, click on the Ok button and you will be able to work with the files inside without any problem.
Unzipping a password-protected ZIP file using 7Zip
An additional solution for opening these types of files is 7Zip, another popular compression, and decompression software. It works similarly to WinRAR. First, make sure you have it installed, if you do not have the software, click on the green Download button we offer and install it as you would do with any Windows software.
Now, you also have two ways to proceed. If you double-click on the 7Zip file it will show you the content.
Content of a password-protected ZIP viewed with 7Zip
When you try to access the files, you will be asked for the password. Type it in the pop-up window and press Ok.
Type in the password and press OK to access the content
Same as WinRAR, 7Zip is integrated during installation in the context menu of options. If you prefer, you can right-click on the password-protected ZIP file and select any of the available 7Zip options. Depending on which one you choose, you will see the content and then be asked for the password.
Options available in 7Zip’s contextual menu
Opening a ZIP file password protected is very simple, all you really need is the key or password. Once you have it, using the Windows 10 compression tool or either of the two software programs we recommend is quick and easy.
Unzipping password-protected ZIP files downloaded from Malavida
In Malavida, certain software downloads may consist of a ZIP file that contains a TXT document and a password-protected ZIP file. That password is precisely in the TXT document. To be able to open these files downloaded from our website, the first thing you must do is make sure you have a file compression and decompression software. If you use Windows 10, it is integrated into the system as you have seen before, and if you use an older version of the operating system, or you do not like the native system tool, you can use WinRAR or 7Zip again.
Windows 10
With the integrated Windows tool, all you have to do is double-click on the ZIP file you have downloaded. By doing so, you will be able to see its contents.
Content of the ZIP file
Inside, you will find two files. One is a new ZIP file containing the software, and the other is a text document called Password Double click on the text file to open it, inside, you will see the password. You can do so using the Windows Notepad or any other editor that supports TXT files. Keep the file open.
Password-protected file open
Then, double-click on the ZIP file inside to view its contents. When you double-click the executable file(s) inside it again to launch it, or when you try to move it to another directory, the Windows compression tool will notify you that it is password protected. Now, all you have to do is type the visible password into the text document that we have opened in the previous step. Please, respect the upper and lower case indicated to avoid errors. When you have it, press Ok on the right side. In a few seconds, the installation process of your software will be launched.
Enter the password in the pop-up window when trying to open the executable file
WinRAR
The process to open a password protected ZIP downloaded from our website with WinRAR is the same. First, double-click on the file you have downloaded to see what it contains, i.e. the TXT document and the ZIP file password protected containing the software.
Content of the file with a ZIP and a TXT document
Double-click on the TXT document to read its contents, you will see the necessary password. Keep it in sight.
Password of the TXT document
Then, double-click on the ZIP file containing the software. You will be able to see the executable files it stores. When you try to run any of them, WinRAR will ask you for the password. Just type the password of the TXT file and press Ok below and the software installation will be launched.
Entering the password to open the EXE files of the password-protected ZIP
7Zip
The procedure with this file compression and decompression software is exactly the same. First, double-click on the file you downloaded from Malavida and you will see its content, i.e. a new ZIP (the password-protected one) and the text document containing the password.
Content of the password-protected ZIP viewed with 7Zip
Open the TXT document containing the password and keep it within reach to take the final step.
The TXT file contains the password
Finally, double-click on the password-protected ZIP containing the executable file(s) and try to launch it or move it to some directory on your PC. A pop-up window will ask you for the TXT password, just type it in and press Ok.
Type in the password to open the ZIP that contains the executable file
Any of the three methods will let you view and open the contents of the password-protected ZIPs you can download from the web.
