My file is already in .zip or .rar format. How can compress and encrypt it again with WinZip or WinRAR?

It is still possible to re-compress and encrypt a .zip or .rar file with WinZip or WinRAR.

For WinZip, please:

  1. Start WinZip.
  2. Select “File” -> “New Archive…”
  3. Choose the archive name, which should be different from your .zip or .rar file name.
  4. Select the .zip or .rar file to be added to the archive.
  5. Select the “Encrypt added files” option.
  6. Click “Add” button
  7. Input the password for the archive.
  8. Then your .zip or .rar file will be added to the new archive.

For WinRAR, please:

  1. Start WinRAR.
  2. Select “Tools” -> “Wizard”
  3. Select “Create a new archive”, then click “Next” button.
  4. Select the .zip or .rar file to be added.
  5. Set the archive name, which should be different from your .zip or .rar file name, then click “Next” button.
  6. Click “Set Password” button to set the password for the archive.
  7. Click “Finish” button, your .zip or .rar file will be added to the new archive.

Note: Since a .zip or .rar file is already compressed, if you recompress it to a new archive, the compression ratio will not be very high, normally only 1% to 2% size will be reduced during the 2nd compression.