Have you ever encountered a password-protected ZIP or Excel file that you desperately need to access? Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll guide you through some quick and easy methods to unlock these files and access their contents.
Unlocking a Password-Protected ZIP File
If you have a ZIP file that is protected with a password, you won’t be able to extract its contents without first entering the correct password. But what if you don’t have the password?
Method 1: Using an Online Service
There are several online services that can help you unlock password-protected ZIP files. One such service is Online Tech Tips.
To use this service, simply upload your password-protected ZIP file and wait for the website to decode the password. Once the password has been deciphered, you can download the ZIP file and extract its contents without any issues.
Method 2: Using Command Prompt
If you prefer to keep things offline, you can also unlock password-protected ZIP files using the Command Prompt on your computer.
Here’s how:
- Open the Command Prompt on your PC
- Navigate to the folder where the password-protected ZIP file is stored
- Enter the following command:
“C:\Program Files\WinZip\wzzip” -yZipFileName.zip ZipFileName
Replace “ZipFileName.zip” with the name of the password-protected ZIP file - Enter a new filename for the extracted file without the password protection. For example: “NewFileName.zip”
- Press Enter and wait for the process to complete
Unlocking a Password-Protected Excel File
Excel files can also be protected with passwords to restrict access to their contents. If you don’t have the password and need to access the file, here are some methods to try:
Method 1: Using Excel Password Recovery
Excel Password Recovery is a third-party software that can help you recover passwords for Excel files. This software utilizes advanced algorithms to decode passwords and give you access to your locked Excel files.
To use Excel Password Recovery:
- Download and install the software
- Open the software and select the password-protected Excel file you want to unlock
- Click on “Recover Password” and wait for the software to decipher the password
- Once the password is decrypted, use it to open your Excel file and access its contents
Method 2: Using VBA Code to Crack the Password
If you are comfortable using VBA code, you can also use it to crack the password on your Excel file.
Here’s how:
- Open the password-protected Excel file
- Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor
- Double-click on the Excel file in the Project pane
- Copy and paste the following VBA code:
- Click anywhere inside the code block
- Press F5 on your keyboard to run the code
- If the code runs successfully, you’ll receive a useable password that can be used to unlock your Excel file
Sub PasswordBreaker()
'Breaks worksheet password protection.
Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
On Error Resume Next
For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
ThisWorkbook.Sheets(1).Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ThisWorkbook.Sheets(1).ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & _
Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
FAQs
Q: Can I use the same methods to unlock password-protected files on my iPhone or Android device?
A: The methods described in this article are tailored for unlocking password-protected files on Windows or Mac computers. However, some online services may be accessible via mobile devices, so you may be able to try that option to unlock a file on your smartphone.
Q: What if I forgot the password for my password-protected file?
A: If you have forgotten the password for your file, your only option may be to use a password recovery service like Excel Password Recovery or consult with the person who created the file to obtain the password.
Wrapping Up
Unlocking password-protected ZIP and Excel files may seem daunting at first, but with the methods outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily access your files’ contents. Remember to always protect your files with strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access.