What ZIP formats do you support?

We support standard ZIP archives using ZipCrypto/PKZIP legacy encryption, WinZip AES-128 and AES-256 encrypted archives, 7-Zip (.7z) files with AES-256 encryption, and self-extracting (SFX) executable archives. Whether your file was created with Windows built-in compression, WinZip, 7-Zip, PeaZip, Bandizip, or any other archiving tool, we can process it. Our system automatically detects the exact format and encryption type on upload, so you do not need to know any technical details.

How long does recovery actually take?

Recovery time depends on two factors: encryption type and password complexity. PKZIP/ZipCrypto archives use the weakest encryption -- most are cracked within minutes to a few hours because our servers can test millions of passwords per second. WinZip AES-256 and 7-Zip archives are significantly slower: simple passwords may be found in hours, while moderately complex ones can take 24-72 hours. If you provide password hints through our Deep Recovery + AI plan, we prioritize the most likely candidates first, which can reduce recovery time from days to hours. Most recoveries of all types complete within 24 hours.

Can you recover 7-Zip (.7z) passwords as well?

Yes, absolutely. 7-Zip archives use AES-256 encryption with a SHA-256 based key derivation function, which is similar to WinZip AES-256 but slightly slower to attack. Simply upload your .7z file the same way you would a .zip file. Our system automatically detects the archive type and applies the appropriate recovery strategy. Note that because 7-Zip's KDF is intentionally slow, providing password hints via Deep Recovery + AI is highly recommended for the best chance of success.

Do you support self-extracting (SFX) archives?

Yes. Self-extracting EXE archives are simply ZIP or 7z archives with a small executable loader prepended to the beginning of the file. Upload the .exe file directly through our interface -- we detect the appended encrypted archive data inside, extract the encryption header, and process it like any other ZIP or 7z file. The executable portion is ignored during recovery.

What is the difference between Fast Check and Deep Recovery + AI?

Fast Check is a free initial scan that tests thousands of the most common passwords and all 4-digit numeric PINs against your file. If your password is in this set, you get it for free. Deep Recovery + AI is our paid service (${upfront} upfront + ${success} on success) that performs a full-scale attack using dictionary databases, rule-based mutations, hybrid brute-force, and pattern matching. It also lets you submit password hints -- partial words, approximate length, character types, dates, or any fragments you remember -- which our AI uses to prioritize the most likely password candidates first.

Is my data safe during the recovery process?

Absolutely. We extract only the minimal encrypted header needed for password testing -- typically 32-64 bytes. The actual file contents inside your archive are never accessed, read, stored, or decrypted by our system. All uploads and communications use TLS 1.3 encryption in transit. Customer content is deleted as soon as it is no longer needed and no later than 14 days after upload. Terminal content is generally removed within 72 hours; delivery access may expire earlier. We never see your passwords, nor can we access the decrypted contents of your files.

What if I only remember part of the password?

Partial password knowledge is extremely valuable. Our Deep Recovery + AI plan lets you provide hints like partial words, approximate length, known character types (e.g., 'starts with a capital letter, contains a number'), dates, names, or other fragments. Our system constructs a prioritized attack plan that tests combinations matching your hints first, before moving to broader searches. This can reduce recovery time from days to hours and dramatically improves the overall success rate. Even a single remembered word can be enough to reduce the search space by 99% or more.

What happens if you cannot find the password?

If our servers exhaust all available attack strategies -- dictionary, brute-force, hybrid, mask, and rule-based mutations -- without finding the password, you pay nothing. There are no hidden fees, no partial charges, and no surprise bills. The Fast Check is always free regardless of outcome, and for Deep Recovery + AI, the upfront fee covers our server time while the success fee is only charged when we deliver a working password. No success, no success fee.

Do you support multi-volume or split ZIP archives?

Yes, we support split ZIP archives (.z01, .z02, .zip) and spanned archives. Upload all parts or the primary .zip file that references the volume set. Our system reconstructs the archive structure to access the encrypted header. Note that each volume must be from the same archive -- mixing files from different archives will not work.

Can you recover passwords from ZIP files created on Mac or Linux?

Yes. ZIP files created on macOS (using the built-in Archive Utility or Keka), Linux (using the zip command line tool), or any other operating system all use the same standard ZIP encryption algorithms: ZipCrypto or AES-256. Our system handles them identically regardless of the source platform. Mac-specific formats like .dmg or Linux-specific formats like .tar.gz are handled separately and should not be confused with ZIP archives.

ZIP Password Recovery

Forgot Your ZIP Password?

Forgot your ZIP file password and cannot access important files inside? Our professional recovery service handles PKZIP ZipCrypto, WinZip AES-128/256, and 7-Zip AES-256 archives. Upload your file for a free Fast Check that tests thousands of common passwords in seconds. You pay only when your password is found and you choose to proceed with full recovery.

All ZIP types

High-performance servers

Free Fast Check first

PKZIP + WinZip + 7-Zip

Quick answer

Start by identifying the ZIP protection

Your archive may use older ZIP encryption or newer AES protection. Uploading the file identifies it first, so you can choose an appropriate recovery path.

Recovery process

How it works

1
Upload ZIP Archive
Upload your password-protected ZIP, 7z, or SFX file through our secure TLS 1.3 encrypted upload form. We automatically detect the exact encryption type and run a free Fast Check against thousands of common passwords and 4-digit PINs at no cost to you.
2
Server-Powered Recovery
Our high-performance servers process up to 200 million password combinations per second using dictionary attacks, rule-based mutations, hybrid brute-force, and smart pattern matching. For AES-256 archives, Deep Recovery + AI with your password hints dramatically narrows the search space.
3
Get Your Password
Once found, you receive your password by email with a secure payment link. You only pay if we successfully recover it. Simple 4-digit PINs and passwords from the top 10,000 most common list are completely FREE if found during the initial Fast Check. No success, no charge -- guaranteed.

PKZIP (ZipCrypto)

Older ZIP encryption is assessed separately from modern archive protection.

Legacy encryption from 1990s
Most common ZIP encryption type
Very high success rate -- weak algorithm

WinZip AES-256

Modern WinZip AES protection is intentionally slower to test. Password details can help focus a search.

Modern AES-256 encryption
PBKDF2 key derivation (slower)
Success depends on password complexity

Common situations

Common ZIP Password Scenarios

Forgetting a ZIP password is more common than you might think. Every day we help people in exactly these situations:

Old backups from USB drives or external hard disks that you cannot access anymore
Downloaded files from the internet where the password was lost or never communicated
Work files protected years ago with a password you no longer remember
Shared archives received from former clients or colleagues who are no longer reachable
Personal photo and video archives from family events locked behind a forgotten password
Email attachments from years ago sitting in old inbox folders that you cannot open

Frequently Asked Questions

Next step

Ready to Recover Your ZIP Password?

Upload your protected archive right now and get a free Fast Check in seconds. Thousands of common passwords tested instantly at no cost. Full Deep Recovery + AI available if needed -- pay only when your password is found.

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