Password Protect Files and Folders in Windows in 3 Simple Ways

In an ideal world, after you set up the Windows password, everything is safe and fine.

But this is not the case in the not so ideal world we live in.

The Windows password offers just a basic protective layer to keep your files safe from the individuals sharing your PC.

However, risks abound.

Individuals who can hack a system can easily bypass these security measures.

If you are not following the requisite steps, you run the risk of divulging sensitive information into the hands of people who may cause you significant harm.

Let us take a look at some ways that will help to password protect your files and folders, allowing you to share your PC without the fear of exposing sensitive information.

Use Folder Lock

You can use Folder Lock to encrypt and password protect the files and folders at blazing speed. This software uses advanced encryption standard to keep your data safe.

Folder Lock uses master password for controlling the locked content. You can also create a Locker, that is a secure folder that helps with segregation of content topic.

You can assign each content a password and also limit the disk space occupied by it.

Password Protect Folder from Properties

Here is a straight forward way to protect your folder from all prying eyes.

1. Select the folder or file you want to encrypt.
2. Right click the file and click Properties.
3. From the General tab, click Advanced.
4. Select the checkbox for encrypting content.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK.

Here is another way to secure files and folders from Properties.

1. Select the folder or file you want to encrypt.
2. Right click the file and click Properties.
3. From the General tab, in the Attributes option, click Hidden.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click OK.
6. If you can still see the folder, from the file explorer, go to the View tab.
7. Click Options.
8. Click Change folder and search options.
9. In the pop-up window, from the Hidden files and folder setting, select as required.
10. Click Apply.
11. Click Ok.

Use WinRAR

An encryption and file compression tool that is available free of cost in the 32 and 64-bit versions, WinRAR allows to password protect files and folders in Windows 10. To password protect files and folders using WinRAR, complete the following steps:

1. Download WinRAR.
2. Install WinRAR.
3. Go to the File Manager.
4. Right click the file or folder you want to protect and click Add to Archive.
5. A small file is created with the contents of the real file.
6. From Archive name and parameters, select Set Password.
7. From the pop-up window, enable encrypt file name and provide the password.
8. Click OK.

Now, you can delete the original file. You have a RAR file that is locked with a password.

The above-discussed ways will go a long way helping you to make your personal information safe and secure. However, there are plenty of other ways you can adopt to make your files and folders safe and secure.