Password protecting your Indian file and folders in Windows is the best way to ensure no one gains unauthorized access to them . Unfortunately , Windows does n’t declare oneself any authentic way to add together password protective covering to files or folders . Do n’t concern though , we jazz some handy shipway to password protect Windows folders and files . In this mail , we will show you four way to password protect folders in Windows , each method is suitable for a specific need .
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Password Protect Folders in Windows
1. Use Built-in Encryption
Windows comes with built - in encoding to protect a folder and its cognitive content from other exploiter and content over the shared mesh . However , encryption is only useable in the Professional or Enterprise edition of Windows 10 . If you are using Standard or Home version , you are out of fortune .
Right - mouse select the folder you desire to encrypt and pick out Properties from the context menu and select Advanced under the General tab . Now correspond the checkbox next toEncrypt contents to secure dataand select OK . penetrate on Confirm in the pop - up that follows and you are done . The folder should be cipher now .
The folder color will turn green confirming that it has been encrypted . Now , only you’re able to access this folder while you are access to your Windows user account . Other user will have to enter the password to get at it . alas , if someone has entree to your reckoner you are access , they will be able to enter the leaflet . Not foolproof .
you may remove encoding following the same method after which , the folder will be visible and accessible to all Windows user .
2. Simple Password Managers
If you just need to protect your data file and folders on Windows 10 computer from menage members or colleague and can live without encoding , simple password protection will work just fine for you . This software program may not be able to protect your data from cyber-terrorist and other spoiled actors , but for fast and gentle pamphlet protection , they are perfect .
Wise Folder Hideris a mere and gratis password director that can protect your files with two different folders . Install and launch the program and you will be take to make a word . You will apply that to password protect folders on Windows 10 . Alternatively , you’re able to also tryEasy File Locker .
Make certain to apply a strong password that ’s not obvious to ensure people do n’t opine it . And in case youforget your password , get hold of the company with the PayPal transaction ID ( only works if you are a premium exploiter ) and they will recuperate the watchword for you . There is no path to recover a watchword for free user since the software needs no sign - up .
notice : Unfortunately the free variant of Wise Folder Hider is bloated with other less utilitarian software like SpyHunter . So , verify you cautiously decline the install .
In the master interface , you’re able to utilize the push above to obliterate Indian file , folders and even USB drive content . Once hide out , you will have to click “ Open ” next to each particular to make them accessible in Windows 10 File Explorer . As soon as you fill up the Wise Folder Hider windowpane , the items will be hide again .
Additionally , you’re able to penetrate on the upper side - down arrow next to an item and select “ Set password ” to make a lowly password . Other user will have to supply the main password and the secondary word to afford such files / folders .
ensure you unhide all the files and folder before uninstalling the Wise Folder hider ( or any folder hiding software ) or all your file will be lost forever and a day .
3. Password Protect Folder in Windows 10 with 7-Zip
7 - Zip is a pop archiving prick that is used for extracting compressed files . Did you know that it can watchword protect your data with strong encryption as well ? If you do n’t need to access a folder and its content frequently , you could encrypt and compress it to make it impossible for others to access it without a password .
Once7 - Zipis installed , right - click on the leaflet and select Add to archive from the 7 - Zip menu .
In the compression mise en scene , enter the encryption parole in the bottom right corner and then press OK to cipher the folder . This will create a new compressed booklet in the same location that can only be extracted using the password you just create . you’re able to now delete the unprotected brochure to ensure no one accesses it . Ideally , you should n’t have to cancel the original folder because then , someone could access it from the Recycle Bin or even recover it using some data recovery tool . That ’s why I recommend edit the original folder / file using CCleaner securely .
Unfortunately , you will have to elicit the pamphlet every prison term you postulate to get at its subject matter , and also delete the unprotected booklet when you encrypt it again . That ’s a long-winded unconscious process but good at the same prison term . You also have the ability to send or apportion the encrypted folder online using email or swarm storage firmly .
4. Password Protect Folders in Windows Using Encryption App
The best way of life to protect your data is to encrypt and protect it with a parole , and for this purpose , you will need to get supporter from a third - company encoding software . There are manyencryption softwareavailable , but most of them will inscribe the whole parkway content . Encrypting and decrypting an entire drive can be time - take in .
One way is to create a small consecrate drive with the intention to save all your sensitive data point . For this intent , VeraCryptis a great software package that will encrypt and watchword protect folders in Windows 10 .
Once installed , VeraCrypt cause it a snap to produce an encrypted loudness where you could keep your data . snap on the Create Volume button in the main port and follow program line provided by VeraCrypt to create an inscribe volume . You just demand to press Next on most soda pop - ups and enter size of the parkway and the password that you would care to use .
Also Read : How to Encrypt USB Drive Using VeraCrypt
After creating the cypher mass , select the Select file push in the chief port and select the loudness you just produce . Now tap Mount and go in the password to jump on the movement . You will be able to see the newly encrypted campaign next to your even drives . you could now simply move data file and folders to this drive to encrypt it .
observe : The inscribe intensity you created may not be approachable , but it can still be deleted . So this will not stop hoi polloi from delete the tender data .
5. Hide Files and Folders Two Different Ways
There are two ways to simply hide out single file and booklet in Windows 10 . There is no need to enter a password or anything . The first method acting is easy where you select the filing cabinet or folder you need to hide , and blue-ribbon Hide selected detail in the toolbar above .
When you need to view all concealed files and folders , just start the pamphlet and select Hidden items to view everything . This method is not very safe and pretty much everyone who knows about it can apply it .
That ’s why there is another means . This one is more obscure and want more workplace . Most people do n’t know about it either . You will be hiding pamphlet as a system folder to make it ride out concealed even if someone selects the Hidden detail option above . To do so , opened Command Prompt with admin right wing and typewrite the below command .
Replace ‘ user name here ’ with your computer ’s username and ‘ top closed book ’ with the pamphlet you want to hide as a organisation pamphlet . To unhide files and folders , double the same command but this time with the minus sign .
That ’s it . Again , this is not very secure but a fast and wide-eyed way to cover hooey if you do n’t want everyone find it out . It depends on the age of the person and how computer savvy he / she is before you apply this method acting .
6. BitLocker Drive Encryption
The good means to batten and word - protect file and folders on Windows 10 data processor is by using BitLocker . That ask Windows Pro or Enterprise version and a TPM chip on your information processing system . The steps are a little complicated and foresighted but it is the highest level of security you may get on a Windows data processor . It will encrypt everything on that driving force using AES 256 - act encoding . Here is a step - by - step usher onhow to use BitLockerto encrypt and protect file and folders on Windows 10 .
Wrapping Up: Password Protect Folders on Windows 10
Also Read : How to Make Your Own Folder Locking Software For Free