How to Crack ZIP File Password

Many people use ZIP to share documents with a reduced size, and a large number of them prefer protecting the ZIP file by password, making it secure sharing files on emails and sharing on the cloud. However, it is widespread to forget a ZIP file password if you are handling multiple files. It can be very frustrating not getting access to the file when it’s urgent.

If you’re stuck in a similar situation, we are here to help you get out of this and guide you on how to crack ZIP file password. There are different methods for cracking the ZIP file password, but we have selected the top four most effective ones for you. Check all the effective methods given below and learn how to crack ZIP password using cmd or without any software.

Note: Problems with opening Zip archives might be the result of the ZIP file being damaged or corrupted. Zip Repair tool is designed to recover corrupted archives and helps you avoid losing access to important files.

• Method 1. Crack ZIP File Password Using CMD
• Method 2. Crack ZIP File Password with PassFab for ZIP (Recommended)
• Method 3. Crack ZIP File Password with NSIS
• Method 4. Crack ZIP File Password Online without Any Software (Not Recommended)

Method 1. Crack ZIP File Password Using CMD

One of the easiest methods to open password-protected ZIP file without wasting your time is by Using CMD to crack a ZIP file. For cracking the password using this technique, we need a CMD tool called John the Ripper. This tool is a very efficient free open source password cracking tool for MAC, Windows, and Linux.

Click here to download the tool. Follow the steps below to crack ZIP file password using cmd.

Step 1: Download the “John the Ripper” tool from the link given above.

Step 2: Unzip the downloaded file on your computer.

Note: John the Ripper is not Installation Version. It’s a Command-Line tool.

Step 3: After unzipping the file, change the name from “XYZ” to “John” and save it on your PC.

Step 4: Now, open the unzipped file and open the “Run” folder in it.

Step 5: After opening the Run folder, create a New Folder and name it “Crack.”

Step 6: Copy the password-protected ZIP file you desire to break the password and paste it into the Crack folder.

Step 7: Go back to the desktop screen and open Command Prompt.

Step 8: Execute the command “cd desktop/john/run” on the command prompt and press enter.

Step 9: Now execute the command “ZIP2john.exe crack/YourFileName.ZIP>crack/Key.txt” and press the Enter key. This will create ZIP file password hashes for cracking the password from the ZIP file.

Step 10: After the above step, pass hashes will be created in the “Crack” folder we created before. Password Hash can now be checked in the same folder.

Step 11: Now, using the same password hash, we will use a simple command and crack the password from the ZIP file. Go to the command prompt and execute the following “john –format=ZIP crack/key.txt” command and press the Enter key. Your ZIP file password will be cracked after this step.

Note: If the password is simple, the tool will take a short time, but if the password is complex, the tool will take some minutes to crack the password.

The password cracked “ABC123” shown in the below screenshot took only a few minutes.

Method 2. Crack ZIP File Password with PassFab for ZIP

This efficient best ZIP password cracker allows the user to crack any forgotten or lost password from ZIP/7ZIP/WINZIP in a brief period. PassFab for ZIP is available for Windows XP and above. PassFab allows its users to crack the ZIP file password from different scenarios. It comes into play if the user forgets the ZIP file password or cannot open the ZIP file archive.

Follow the simple instructions below to crack ZIP password.

Step 1: Download the password unlocker from the link given above and install it. After installing the software, the next step is to import the ZIP file you require to crack the password.

Step 2: Now, select an appropriate method of decryption. PassFab for ZIP provides its users with three appropriate methods, which are listed below.

• Brute Force Attack: This method uses every alphabet, character, and numeral to predict the password. It usually consumes time and searches for any lost password using comprehensive searches.
• Mask Attack: You can use this method if you know some of the information about the password.
• Dictionary Attack: This method makes use of the available dictionary.

Step 3: After selecting one of the required modes of recovery, press the “Recover” button to start. After the process is complete, you can see the recovered password, use the recovered password and get access to your ZIP file.

Method 3. Crack ZIP File Password with NSIS

This unique software is a lifesaver that can convert any password-protected ZIP file to .exe format. The .exe file can easily be installed and will turn it a ZIP file, which can be opened without a password. Follow the simple steps below and learn how to crack ZIP password with NSIS.

Step 1: Download the software here and install it on your computer.

Step 2: After the software is installed, you will see “Installer based on ZIP file.” Click on it.

Step 3: Press the Open button shown below and add the path of the ZIP file and add it to the software.

Step 4: Now click the Browse button and select the path to locate the EXE file the software will generate. After this, press the Generate button.

Step 5: After all the above steps are complete, you will see a .exe file.

Step 6: Open this .exe file and install it. When the file is installed, it will extract your password-protected ZIP file, and you can open it easily without the password.

Method 4. Crack ZIP File Password Online without Any Software (Not Recommended)

Using Online platforms to save files has become very popular these days. When we search for different methods to break or crack passwords from ZIP files online, we often come across many sites.

Disadvantage: This method of cracking a password from a ZIP file is not recommended by experts as according to them sharing your data online is not a good deal. It is not wise to use these online services for password removal.

The online platform which we recommend is LostMyPass ZIP Password Recovery. This software guides its users on how to crack ZIP file password.

• The software guarantees to crack the password from any ZIP file without charging anything.
• You have to upload your ZIP file on their site and follow the simple instructions given.
• After it is successful, you will get your ZIP password.
• The software provides free password recovery by searching the database for 3 million passwords, which are successful in 22% of cases.
• If the password is still not accessible, the software offers paid services and searches 20 billion-plus databases to crack your password. The process is very fast and only takes a few minutes.

Conclusion

These methods are very useful for people searching on how to crack a password-protected ZIP file. Getting stuck in a situation where you lost your password can be very annoying when you need to access the file urgently. We have provided you with four effective methods on how to crack ZIP file password. Choose the best method according to your needs and easily crack your ZIP file password.