To password protect a folder using 7-Zip such that even the are hidden, you must use the .7z format and enable the "Encrypt file names" option.
For quick, portable protection, is the closest you’ll get without buying software – but it still requires extraction.
A window titled "Add to Archive" will appear. Configure the following settings to ensure maximum security for the folder:
This is the specific step that protects the structure, not just the files.
⭐ 2/5 ⭐ Rating for secure file archiving with password: 5/5
You now have two items:
Click . 7-Zip will create a new file with the extension .7z in the same directory as your original folder.
FAQ: How to password protect my documents with 7-ZIP? | OCIO
Standard ZIP encryption often has a flaw: while the files inside are locked, the names of the files and the folder structure remain visible. Anyone opening the archive without a password can see that you have a folder named "Finances" containing a file named "Bank_Passwords.txt," even if they cannot open the file itself.
By using the and checking the "Encrypt file names" box, you effectively password protect the folder structure and its contents, rendering the entire directory invisible and inaccessible without the correct credentials.
