7-Zip command to create and extract a password-protected ZIP file on Windows? [closed]

From http://www.dotnetperls.com:

7z a secure.7z * -pSECRET

Where:

7z        : name and path of 7-Zip executable
a         : add to archive
secure.7z : name of destination archive
*         : add all files from current directory to destination archive
-pSECRET  : specify the password "SECRET"

To open :

7z x secure.7z

Then provide the SECRET password

Note: If the password contains spaces or special characters, then enclose it with single quotes

7z a secure.7z * -p"pa$$word @|"

General Syntax:

7z a archive_name target parameters

Check your 7-Zip dir. Depending on the release you have, 7z may be replaced with 7za in the syntax.

Parameters:

  • -p encrypt and prompt for PW.
  • -pPUT_PASSWORD_HERE (this replaces -p) if you want to preset the PW with no prompt.
  • -mhe=on to hide file structure, otherwise file structure and names will be visible by default.

Eg. This will prompt for a PW and hide file structures:

7z a archive_name target -p -mhe=on

Eg. No prompt, visible file structure:

7z a archive_name target -pPUT_PASSWORD_HERE

And so on. If you leave target blank, 7z will assume * in current directory and it will recurs directories by default.


To fully script-automate:

Create:

7z -mhc=on -mhe=on -pPasswordHere a %ZipDest% %WhatYouWantToZip%

Unzip:

7z x %ZipFile% -pPasswordHere

(Depending, you might need to: Set Path=C:\Program Files\7-Zip;%Path% )