How to Password Protect Folder in Windows

Top 3 Methods to Password Protect Folder in Windows 10/8.1/8/7

"How can I protect folder with password in Windows 10? How can I protect my folders with a password? I don't want to make compressed folder, to archive it or something like that. I simply want a normal folder and when you double click it, to require the password. Thanks."
——From Notebook Review Forum

Data security and privacy become more and more important for PC users today. Everyone should adopt a good habit to password protect your important personal data to protect them from malicious stealing. In this article, we will show you the top 3 methods to password protect folder in Windows 10/8.1/8/7. Read on, please.

Method 1: Use Windows Encrypting File System

It is unfortunate that Microsoft do not provide practical function to encrypt Windows folder. But if there is more than one account in your Windows system, you can encrypt it as below.

• Step 1: Choose the target folder that you would like to encrypt, click right-hand button and then choose the properties. Then you can see the Properties window. Click the Advanced option.

• Step 2: Here in the "Advanced Attributes" window, you can see the "Encrypt contents to secure data" radio button. Just click it and then hit OK button.

• Step 3: After that, it will pop up a window to confirm the attribute changes. Select OK and then finish the window. Then you have successfully finished the steps.Other accounts can't read the contents in it.

Method 2: Use Folder Locker

It is worth mentioning that we can also create a password protected folder by using Folder Locker. Although the steps are a little complicated but you can password protect folder in Windows 10/8.1/8/7 without third-party software.

• Step 1: Create a new folder and then enter the folder. And then create a new Text Document and open it, copy the code as below. Change the PASSWORD_GOES_HERE text to the password you want to set. And then save as locker.bat.

• Step 2: Delete the original text document. Create a new folder named "Private", which is the folder that you want to password protect. Then run locker.bat again. It will ask you whether you want to lock the folder or not. Then the Private folder will disappear.

• Step 3: The next time, when you want to see your Private folder, it will ask you to enter the password to unlock folder. Type the correct password and then you can see the Private folder.

Method 3: Use Third-party Encryption Software

Another way to encrypt folder in Windows is to make use of third-party software. This is a universal way. First of all, you need to install random file compression software to your computer and then follow the steps as below.

• Step 1: Choose the folder that you want to password protect and then right click it, and then it will show some options, choose the "Add to archive…" option and go to the next step.

• Step 2: You can see the "Archive name and parameters" option, just choose the "Set password" button and then go to the next step.

• Step 3: Enter your password and reenter password for verification. And then click OK button to finish the encryption.

What If You Forgot Your Password

To create a password is simple, but to decrypt it may be not so easy. If you forgot the password you created for the folder, there is no solution to deal with it only if you remind the passcode. But to create a password for Windows system login screen is different. Actually, another way to password protect folder is to password protect Windows login account. In this case, once you forgot your password, you are able to try your best and unlock login password with SmartKey Windows Password Recovery software.

In a word, that's all for how to create a password protected folder in Windows 10/8.1//8/7 system. Share your experience with us in the comments place if you have time.

Download SmartKey Windows Password Recovery Standard:

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