ZIP file format offers lossless data compression. In other words, it allows you to shrink and extract files when needed. Even though ZIP files are really old, they still offer value, and many people use this format to this day. The fact that using ZIP is free makes this format even more valuable.
The ZIP format has other functions besides compression files, including adding passwords to your compressed files. Users' passwords protect ZIP files, ensuring nobody can access them without authorization. However, even though this is a good security feature, many people add passwords to their files and forget them.
Luckily, there are several ways to remove ZIP passwords. Don’t worry—you don’t have to be a hacker or a computer expert. To get your files back, just follow the steps we’ve shared.
In this article
Part 1. Use an Online Password Remover for ZIP Files
LostMyPass - Online ZIP Password Remover
LostMyPass is an online password recovery tool that can work with different types of files, including ZIP. Its success rate depends on how strong and complex your password is. This is a free tool, but it only supports files up to 100MB in size. Luckily, there’s a paid option that has a better success rate and faster recovery.
Here’s how to use LostMyPass:
Step 1: Go to the official website of LostMyPass.
Step 2: Click the button, select the file you want to upload, or drag the file over the area.
Step 3: LostMyPass will automatically recover the password on the ZIP file. Wait until the process is completed.
Step 4: When the process is completed, you will see the “Success!” message and your recovered password underneath.
GroupDocs - ZIP File Password Remover
GroupDocs works with different file formats, including ZIP, PDF, Excel, DOCX, etc. You can easily upload your file directly into the browser without installing any software. The process is streamlined, and results are processed more quickly than other online options. However, the success rates aren’t ideal, and you can’t expect 100% efficiency.
Aspose Products - ZIP Password Recovery
This tool is specifically designed to recover forgotten and lost ZIP file passwords. It’s a web-based tool that can recover complex passwords. Users can upload their ZIP files directly to the company’s server, which will automatically be recovered using advanced algorithms.
This application works smoothly on all popular operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS.
iFindPass - Free Online ZIP File Password Remover and Recovery
iFindPass is another free ZIP password remover and recovery tool. It has an amazing success rate for weak passwords and is free forever. However, if you want to crack complex passwords, you must pay. The free version limits the file size to 100MB, and the paid option offers unlimited file size.
If you provide some partial details for advanced recovery, the tool guarantees a 100% success rate for finding your ZIP file password.
Part 2. How to Remove a Password From a ZIP File Without Online Tools
1. Remove a ZIP Password With Notepad
Everyone has Notepad installed on their device. If you’re looking for an option to remove a ZIP password without installing any additional tools or searching online, Notepad is the way to go. Every Windows has a notepad, and this method works on all versions. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Right-click your locked ZIP file, go to Open with, and click Choose Another App.
Step 2: Select Notepad and click OK.
Step 3: When Notepad opens, click Edit and then Replace.
Step 4: Type Ûtà in the “Find what” section and 5³tà' in the “Replace with” section. Click Replace All.
Step 5: Close the Notepad, save changes if asked, and open the ZIP file as you would regularly. You should be able to access the file without entering the password.
2. Remove a ZIP Password Using CMD
To remove a protected ZIP password using CMD, you will need an additional tool called John the Ripper. This is a free command line tool that can crack passwords. Before you can use it, you will have to download and install John the Ripper. Once you’ve done that, copy the ZIP file in the run folder of John the Ripper, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Click Start, type CMD and click the first option.
Step 2: Type “cd desktop/john/run” and hit Enter.
Step 3: Type “run\zip2john.exe name.zip > (filename).hash.” and hit Enter.
Step 4: Type “john.exe --pot=name.pot --wordlist=john/run/password.lst name.hash” and hit Enter. Replace “name” in pot and hash with the name of the ZIP file.
Step 5: You will see the “Session complete” message when the process is complete. Type “name.pot” and hit Enter. The name should be replaced with your ZIP Image name. You will be able to see the password.
3. Remove a ZIP Password Using a Desktop Password Remover
You can use various desktop ZIP password removers to crack your password. These tools usually use the brute-force method, which can take some time. For the purpose of this article, we’ll demonstrate the process of using the Free ZIP Password Recovery tool. Before starting, download and install the tool.
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Start the Free ZIP Password Recovery tool.
Step 2: Click Browse and select the ZIP file. Select the type of characters, minimal length, etc.
Step 3: Click Start and wait until the tool is finished. The process may take some time.
Step 4: You can see your password when the process is complete. Click Close to exit the tool.
Step 5: Double-click the ZIP file and enter the recovered password.
4. Remove a ZIP Password Using a Batch Script
If you’re familiar with batch scripts, you can run this one on any platform to crack the password for a ZIP file. Here is the full script:
5. Remove a ZIP Password With Professional Help
If all these methods sound too complicated, or you’ve tried some of them and couldn’t get them to work, don’t worry. There is one last resolution you can turn to. Instead of trying to remove the ZIP password on your own, you can contact a company that offers professional password removal services.
Many companies can remove passwords from ZIP files. Alternatively, you can hire an expert freelancer to do the job. Search for a password removal company online or go on a freelance platform like Fiverr and look for individuals who can help you.
Once you’ve found a reliable professional, you only have to send them the ZIP file you want to unlock and wait until they finish the job. It usually takes them one to two workdays to unlock the file.
Part 3. How to Repair a Corrupted ZIP File After Password Removal？
Sometimes, the ZIP files can get corrupted after password removal. In other words, you can enter the recovered password to access the file. However, once you’ve done that, you won’t be able to use the files. In other situations, you might be able to extract the files but won’t be able to open them.
In either case, the main problem is the corruption during password recovery, but don’t worry. If this happens, you can use Wondershare Repairit File Repair to repair the corrupted ZIP file in a few steps.
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Repair damaged Zip files with all levels of corruption, including Zip files not opening, Zip folder is invalid, CRC error, etc.
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Repair damaged or corrupted Zip files caused by any reason, such as system crash, file format change, virus attack, etc.
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Perfectly repair corrupted Zip files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.
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Automatically decompress, extract, and restore repaired files to their original states
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Enable batch repair for ZIP files and files larger than 1G.
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Repairit supports repairing damaged or corrupted PDF, Word, Excel, Zip, and PowerPoint files, support all file formats and versions.
Start by downloading and installing Wondershare Reparit, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch Wondershare Repairit, click More Types Repair, and then File Repair.
Step 2: Click +Add and select the corrupted ZIP file on your computer.
Step 3: Once the file(s) have been uploaded, click Repair in the bottom right corner.
Step 4: Preview the files you’ve repaired and click Save.
Conclusion
To sum up, you can use many different methods to remove ZIP file passwords online, including online tools, desktop software, Notepad, batch scripts, command prompt, and a professional password removal service. They all have advantages and disadvantages.
Start with the option that seems easy to you and work towards more complex solutions. Remember to have a file repair tool nearby in case your ZIP folders get corrupted.