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How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR

There are actually many ways to do this, but the simplest and most popular is still WinRAR - the most popular file management, compression, and decompression application today. As a shareware software, with no trial period but limited functionality, WinRAR still fully meets our needs. The steps to create * .exe file and set password as below.

Download the latest version of WinRAR .

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) instead of * .zip or * .rar:

  • Requires Windows-based computers to have WinRAR installed (the latest version should be used).
  • Right-click the folder or file to create a file, select WinRAR > Add to archive :

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR

  • Select the Create SFX archive box - notice that when you tick this box, the file extension will change from * .rar to * .exe

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR

  • WinRAR is creating the file:

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR

  • And here is our result:

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR
This exe compressed file looks familiar, doesn't it?

  • The special feature of this method is that when users receive the exe file, they can extract it directly by double-clicking the file, even if their computer does not have WinRAR installed:

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR
Just Browse to the required folder and click Extract to extract

How to set a password for the archive with WinRAR

  • How to do the same as above, but in the Archive name and Paramaters window , click the Set password button , then enter the password in the Enter password box as shown below:

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR
This method applies to both compressed files in * .exe or * .rar, * .zip format

  • Our file or directory is secured:

How to create a self-extracting file (* .exe) and set a password for the archive with WinRAR

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