--- title: Windows compressed folders canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/windows-compressed-folders/ category: File Compression Software points: 21 rank: 10 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Windows compressed folders The zip and unzip feature in Windows 10 and 11 File Explorer, which does not support encrypted archives. 21 points out of 100. #10 of 10 file compression programs. Vendor: Microsoft. Website: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/ - Microsoft's page covers zipping and unzipping in Windows 10 and 11 File Explorer and names no separate download or price [1]. - Right-click, then Show more options, then Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder, makes a ZIP [1]. - Windows 11 version 24H2 supports ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR archives [1]. - Windows 11 24H2 does not support operations on encrypted archives [1]. - Microsoft points users to tools such as 7-Zip or WinRAR for encrypted archives [1]. Verdict: Windows compressed folders suits quick zipping and unzipping when you do not want another program [1]. It reads RAR, 7z and TAR archives on Windows 11 24H2 [1]. The catch: Microsoft says it does not support operations on encrypted archives and points users to 7-Zip or WinRAR [1]. Best for: People who only need to zip and unzip files and want nothing to install. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Formats | Archive types you can create | ZIP, 7z | 4/12 | Page describes making ZIP folders; its FAQ says 24H2 supports compression and decompression of formats including 7-Zip [1]. | | Formats | Archive types you can open | RAR, 7z | 4/8 | FAQ says Windows 11 24H2 supports ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR archives. ISO and CAB are not listed [1]. | | Protection | AES-256 encryption | No | 0/12 | The page describes no password option and says 24H2 does not support operations on encrypted archive files [1]. | | Protection | Hides file names | No | 0/7 | No encryption option is documented; the page sends users to third-party tools for encrypted archives [1]. | | Protection | Repair of damaged archives | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Protection | Open source | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Tools | Split into volumes | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Tools | Self-extracting archives | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Tools | Command line | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Tools | File Explorer menu | Yes | 5/5 | Right-click menu has Send to, Compressed (zipped) folder, and Extract All [1]. | | Tools | Portable version | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Systems | Systems | None | 0/6 | The page applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 only [1]. | | Systems | Windows on ARM | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on Microsoft's Zip and unzip page [1]. | | Price | Free to use without a time limit | Yes | 8/8 | Described as a Windows File Explorer feature; the page lists no price or time limit [1]. | | Price | Cost for the first year | Not published | 0/12 | No edition makes AES-256 archives, so there is no price to count [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Windows File Explorer | Free [1] | $0 | No edition makes AES-256 archives, so the price line has no value. ## Strengths - Zipping and unzipping run from File Explorer in Windows 10 and 11, and the page names no separate download or price [1]. - Right-click entries create a ZIP and extract archives without opening another program [1]. - Windows 11 24H2 supports ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR archives [1]. ## Limits - Windows 11 24H2 does not support operations on encrypted archive files [1]. - Microsoft recommends non-Microsoft tools such as 7-Zip or WinRAR for encrypted archives [1]. - The support page does not describe split archives, self-extracting archives or repair of damaged archives [1]. ## Sources 1. [Zip and unzip files](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/zip-and-unzip-files-f6dde0a7-0fec-8294-e1d3-703ed85e7ebc), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-10-09