Most of us store a large amount of information on the computer, and in a world “ideal” we want all our files to be safe. There are some third-party applications that can help you in this aspect, and even Windows 10 offers you the possibility to create invisible folders or put passwords on your file folders.
So if you have files that you would like others to not be able to access, locking them with a password may be the way to put your mind at ease. And precisely in this article we will detail the steps to put a password to a folder in Windows 10, that allows you to keep your files safe from prying eyes.
Put a password on a folder in Windows 10 using an application
Using software is perhaps the easiest and fastest way to put a password on a file or folder in Windows 10, and our recommendation in this case is Lockdir. It is a free app that allows you to protect your files in just a few steps:
- Download Lockdir.
- Once the .exe file is downloaded, copy and paste it inside the folder you want to protect.
- Now, run the file and you will see a window appear in which you must write the password which you will use to protect the folder.
- Click on the button Protect.
- By doing this, your files will disappear and the folder icon will be replaced.
- Now, to reopen the folder, click on the new icon and inside it you will see the file lockdir.exe.
- Run this file, enter your password in the corresponding field (virtual drive to see the content as a virtual drive, temporary the default option to show the files and Complete to remove the password) and click on Unprotected.
The software also has a paid version that adds extra options (such as 256-bit AES encryption, more secure than standard protection), but the free version is perfectly valid for basic use.
Download | LockDir
How to encrypt or encrypt your folders with a password in Windows 10
Before you begin, you should be clear that while this method is simple and effective, it is not designed for large-scale use or to offer maximum security. In other words, if you are storing really confidential information on your device, it is best to invest in some encryption software specially designed for these situations. That said, to put a password on a folder in Windows 10 you will have to follow these steps:
- Open the windows file explorer to locate the file or folder you want to protect.
- Once you have found it, right click on it and select the option Properties at the bottom of the context menu.
- Here, click on the button Advanced that you will see in the Attributes section.
- Now, at the bottom of this panel, check the checkbox under Encrypt content to protect data.
- Then click To accept to return to the main Properties window.
- Click on Apply and Windows will start encrypting your files.
- When the process is complete, you will be prompted to make a backup of your encryption key if you have never used the function before.
- Click the notification and follow the prompts to take note of your encryption key, which you will need if you ever lose access to your encrypted files.
- With the backup done, now your files are protected. They are encrypted with a key linked to your Windows user account, and if someone else tries to access the file, either from another user account or by physically removing your hard drive, the content will appear to be meaningless distorted text.
- Can you reverse encryption at any time by going back to the Properties window and opening the Advanced Options panel again. Simply uncheck the “Encrypt content to protect data” checkbox and click OK to close the windows.
with these methods you will have your safe folders, Especially if you are using a shared PC and just want to keep some files inaccessible to other users on the device. And if you want to increase the security of your data even more, you can’t stop reading how you can put a password on a USB stick in just a few steps.
Related topics: Technology
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