Create a ZIP archive with optional WinZip AES-256 or ZipCrypto password encryption online in your browser without uploading files. Read more

What is ZIP create?

ZIP is a cross-platform archive format that stores a central directory plus individual file entries, each of which can be stored or compressed. PKWARE publishes the official ZIP APPNOTE. This tool creates standard ZIP archives using Store at level 0 or DEFLATE at levels 1–9, and can optionally encrypt entry contents with WinZip AES-256 or legacy ZipCrypto.

How to use this tool

Add files or folders, review their relative paths, choose compression level 0–9, optionally enable encryption and enter a password, set a .zip filename, and create the archive. Level 0 stores entries without compression; levels 1–9 use DEFLATE. Download the result when ready, or enable Save directly to a file when your browser supports it. Use ZIP Extract to inspect the archive.

Output modes

Download (default) keeps the generated ZIP in browser memory and provides a reusable Download button. You can rename the download without recompressing while the content is unchanged.
Save directly to a file writes the ZIP incrementally to a local file you choose. It uses less peak memory for large archives, but there is no repeat Download button without creating again. Availability depends on browser support for the File System Access API in a secure context.

Files are still processed locally and are not uploaded.

Encryption options

None creates a normal unencrypted ZIP.
AES-256 (Recommended) uses WinZip AES with a 256-bit key. It encrypts entry contents but does not hide filenames or the central directory.
ZipCrypto (Legacy, insecure) exists only for compatibility with older tools. It is weak and should not be used for new confidentiality needs. Non-ASCII ZipCrypto passwords are especially unreliable across tools; prefer ASCII passwords when ZipCrypto is required.

A weak password still permits guessing. ZIP encryption is not sender authentication and does not protect against malicious archive paths.

Choosing the right format

ZIP is a practical choice when recipients need broad desktop and mobile compatibility. Higher levels may reduce compressible files but take more CPU; JPEG, PNG, video, and other already-compressed data often gain little. Unlike TAR plus a stream compressor, ZIP compresses entries separately and includes a central directory for listing and random entry access.

Important limitations

Filenames remain visible in normal AES ZIP encryption. ZIP CRC-32 detects accidental corruption but is not authentication. Browser limits make native tools preferable for very large archives. Review paths, duplicate names, and platform-specific filename characters before sharing.

Frequently asked questions

Why can another program not open the result?

Confirm the file is complete and named .zip. This creator uses Store and DEFLATE for broad compatibility. If encryption was enabled, the recipient needs the same password and a tool that supports WinZip AES or ZipCrypto as selected. Specialized ZIP methods, split archives, and self-extracting executables are outside this tool’s output.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Files are read and archived locally in your browser. Passwords remain only in the current page session and are not written to URLs or browser storage.

ZIP Contents