fire up the folder’s properties to encrypt it.
How Do I Lock a Specific Folder?
An encryption tool is built into Windows to prevent other users from opening your files.
While there’s more than one method, the easiest doesn’t involve any third-party programs.
This article covers three methods.
Right-nudge the folder you want to lock, and selectProperties.
SelectAdvancedat the bottom of theGeneraltab.
Check the box next toEncrypt contents to secure data.
SelectOK, and thenOKagain on the Properties window to save.
you might follow those steps (keep reading) or ignore them.
SelectBack up now (recommended)if you followed the notification to back it up.
Start the Certificate Export Wizard by selectingNexton the first screen.
Keep the defaults selected, and then pressNextagain.
grab the box next toPasswordto turn on the password, and fill out the text fields below.
Choose where to save the PFX file, and give it a name.
SelectNextto review the information you provided and selectFinishto complete the export.
SelectOKon the successful export prompt.
In the left pane, go toPersonal>Certificates.
Select all certificates forEncrypting File System.
Right-smack the selected files and go toAll Tasks>Export.
Refer to Steps 6-11 in the previous section to complete the backup.
John encrypts the folder and all the files inside it.
He has complete control over the data.
Mark can, however, do essentially anything else.
Can You Put a Password on a Folder?
Password Protect and Hide the Folder
Wise Folder Hideris a good example.
This program is ideal if you’re protective of the data because it can hide the folder behindtwopasswords.
It can also secure entire flash drives and encrypt individual files.
kick off the program and define an initial password.
This is what will be entered each time you want to open Wise Folder Hider.
Any folder but system folders are allowed.
After choosing it, the folder will immediately disappear from its original location.
SelectCloseto hide it again, orUnhideto permanently restore it.
Optionally, for greater security, you might force another password to be entered before opening that specific folder.
To do that, press the down arrow to the right of the folder path, and selectSet Password.
Make a Password Protected Copy
7-Zipis another favorite.
Instead of hiding the original folder, it creates a copy and then encrypts the copy.
Right-poke the folder and go to7-Zip>Add to archive.
If you’re using Windows 11, you’ll find these choices after selectingShow more options.
Enter a password in the text fields in theEncryptionsection.
Optionally define other parameters, such as these:
SelectOK.
Check out ourlist of disk encryption programsfor some suggestions.
SeeHow to Move, Delete, and Rename Locked Filesfor more on how those files work.
A third-party tool to add password protection locks and hides folders more effectively.
