Lock a Windows 7 folder with a password. How to put a password on a folder in different ways


A folder protected with a complex password on a computer or laptop that can be accessed by several people is a reliable way to save important information. The secret word code will protect digital data from viewing and editing, and will also protect it from deletion. Let's find out how you can put a password on a folder in Windows 10? Are there alternative methods of protection?

Setting a password using standard Windows tools

The Windows 10 operating system does not have built-in functionality that can be used to protect a specific folder. There is a simple way to restrict access to a user account by placing a code word at the entrance (thereby blocking access to any file). There is also a more complicated one - use the built-in BitLocker disk encryption function (it will be impossible to open it without entering the cipher word). The problem with using the BitLocker service is that if the system crashes or the user forgets the password, emergency measures will have to be taken to recover the files.


And the operating systems of the Windows family have one unique functionality that allows you to make an object invisible to users. Using it, there is no need to come up with a complex cipher for opening, which can be forgotten over time.
To hide a folder proceed as follows:
Important! Both protection methods are valid for all versions of the Windows 7, 8, 10, XP, Home, Vista OS family.

An alternative way to protect folders

A large percentage of users, instead of the built-in Windows 10 explorer, use the Total Commander program or file managers with similar functionality: Free, Double, Troll, Midnight Commander or other products. With their help it is very easy to set a password on an object. This can be done after the standard installation of any file manager. The procedure is as follows:

Important! After the procedure, opening files will be available only after entering the secret code. If the user needs to hide an object and encrypt it, this can be done in Commander. You need to go through the procedure of hiding a folder through the “Properties” menu (described above), and then:

The object is now protected and invisible. You can use separate archiver programs WinRar and 7-Zip, but if you have a file manager on your PC or laptop, installing them is impractical.

Setting a password using third-party resources

There are many software products that can improve the security of storing personal data - Flash Crypt, dirLock, Secure Folder, WinMend Folder Hidden, Wise Folder Hider, My Lockbox, Easy File Locker, Anvide Seal Folder and many others. Most of the utilities are free, equipped with a multilingual interface and functional. The Wise Folder Hider software product from the reliable and proven developer WiseCleaner is suitable for all Windows OS families and for those new to folder encryption

You can download Wise Folder Hider for free online. Its installation is standard and fast (free version online with Portable prefix). The only condition is a password to open the utility. You can put any one. Then proceed like this:

After completing the procedure, the object will disappear from the list of folders on the disk (hidden) and will be accessible only through the application. Another small and easy to use utility is Secure Folders. It has a little more functionality and an English-language interface. But it does not complicate the work, since the software offers a minimum number of operations. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the code word is set to open the program itself - that is, you need to enter and come up with one code, which is easier to remember. After adding a folder to the Secure Folders application, it is impossible to open it without opening the program itself.

Use the software like this:

Important! To access an object, you need to temporarily remove it from the application by clicking the red cross on the right side of the line. Once the document work is completed, the object is added back to the application.

If you need a more functional software product that will allow you to encrypt any PC objects, it is better to download the Hide Folder utility. Its interface is Russian, the installation is standard. After installation, proceed as follows:

Access to the facility is limited. The built-in capabilities of the Windows 10 operating system are quite sufficient to protect files and documents. The main security secret is a competent and complex password. If one is installed, then it will be virtually impossible to break it, regardless of what program was used for encryption.

In cases where more than one person has access to a computer, it may be useful to be able to hide some of the data stored on it from being viewed by third parties, as well as protect it from theft and subsequent use. Encrypting folders or files, as well as setting a password to access confidential information, can help solve this problem.

Methods of protection

Actually, you can protect your files from access by others by setting a password and/or encrypting the contents. Another thing is that the presence of similar objects on the disk that exist, but cannot be accessed, may cause additional interest in what is stored in them and why all this is needed at all.

If, in addition to password-protecting the data, you also make it invisible (hidden) from prying eyes, then you can protect yourself from unnecessary questions about what kind of secrets are stored there.

We will tell you about several methods of protection. We would only like to warn you in advance that all passwords that will be used to restrict access to data should not be primitive. Passwords like “12345”, “qwerty” and others like them (by the way, you can find ratings of the most frequently used combinations on the Internet) have long been no secret to anyone. The password must be a sequence of letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers and special characters with a length of at least 8 characters, and preferably more.

The password must be kept in a secure place and known only to you. A piece of paper with a password glued to the monitor or a text file with it on the disk nullifies all the tricks. And, of course, there is no need to lose your password. With it, you can lose your data forever. Even contacting a computer repair shop in Balashikha or another area, wherever you are, will not help.

To protect your information, you can use the standard capabilities of the OS, create a password-protected archive, or use third-party programs, of which there are many. We will describe only a few:

  • AnvideLockFolder
  • DirLock
  • Flash Crypt
  • Folder Lock Lite
  • Folder Protector
  • Hide Folders
  • LocK-A-FoLdeR.

Using Windows 7 Tools

The simplest option to limit access to folders and files on a disk is to set individual access rights for each user, but this is not always possible, since joint work with data may be required.

Another option is to use EFS, which is a built-in additional file system that encrypts data and provides access via a specially created key file with the pfs extension. It is convenient to store this file separately on a flash drive, removable disk, etc. Without it, access to the data is impossible.

In order to protect your information from prying eyes, you need to:

Now access to this folder is possible only if you provide a pfx file.

We use archiving programs

Common and frequently used archivers, such as WinRar, 7-zip and the like, allow you to create password-protected archives. Let us describe the process of creating such an archive.

WinRar

Procedure:

After this, the selected folder will be archived and password protected. When finished, remember to delete the original folder.

7-zip

The actions are largely similar to the previous archiver. When opening the program window, you need to select a folder, click the “Add” button, specify the archive parameters and in the “Encryption” section enter the password twice. After clicking the “Ok” button, the folder will be archived. All that remains is to delete the original one.

We use third-party programs

Before starting work, it is advisable to scan and remove viruses, clean the system from possible keyboard interceptor programs, spyware, etc. If your actions are recorded, then there is little point in them.

AnvideLockFolder

A small free program that does not require installation on the system, i.e. it can be launched from a disk, flash drive, etc.

  1. When you first start it, you should set a password for the program itself, to do this, click on the button with the wrench symbol and enter the password.
  2. By clicking on the “+” button, or dragging a folder into the program window, we add the desired folder.
  3. By clicking on the button with the picture of a closed lock, we open a window in which you need to enter the access password, and then click “Close access”.

Now the folder will be hidden, and access can only be done through this program.

DirLock

This small program must be installed on the system, after which the “Lock/Unlock” item will appear in the context menu. To block access to a folder, you need to:

Now, any unauthorized attempt to open this folder will display a message warning that you do not have rights to use it.

To unlock a folder, you must again use the “Lock/Unlock” context menu item, after which a window for entering a password will appear, the folder will be unlocked, and you can work with it. After completing all actions, you must lock the folder again.

FlashCrypt

This program uses the AES algorithm and a 256-bit key for encryption. The program is installed on the system and adds an item to the context menu. Protected folders are not hidden, but access is provided only with a password.

In order to password protect a folder, you need to:

Folder Lock Lite

Paid program, which currently costs $25.95. There is a 30-day trial period. It works a lot like AnvideLockFolder. A master password is used, folders are hidden from visibility by other users, and work with them is possible only from the program itself.

Folder Protector

The program does not require installation and can be launched from any media. The program is paid, but there is a free option in which the encryption function is not available.

To protect a folder, you need to launch the program, select the desired object on the disk, enter a password and click the “Protect” button. All files will become invisible.

HideFolders

Paid program with 30-day trial period. Allows you to set 4 types of protection:

  • Hiding files.
  • Access blocking.
  • Hiding files and blocking access.
  • The files are read-only.

How to use the program:

Protecting network folders

Placing folders and files on a network resource allows for their sharing by different users. All of them can be divided into groups, and each can have its own access rights. To block access to a network folder, you need to set a password on it. To do this you need:

  1. Click “Start”, then “My Computer”, select “Tools” from the menu and click on “Folder Options”.
  2. Select the “View” tab and uncheck the “Use simple file sharing” option, click “OK”.

After this, for each user group you need to set a login password:

  1. Click “Start” -> “Control Panel” -> “User Accounts”.
  2. Select a group and specify a password for it.
  3. On the “Advanced” tab, you can set your own passwords for local user groups and specifically for each user.

After this, access to network resources will be provided using a password, and the level of rights to use them will be determined by the users’ group membership.

As you can see, it’s not difficult to hide from strangers what you want to hide. Which option to choose - to use external programs or tools built into the system - is up to you. The most important thing is not to hide it from yourself by forgetting the password, losing the key file, etc.

When you constantly use a computer, sometimes it becomes necessary to hide some information from unauthorized users and possible intruders who can access your files via the Internet. Set a password for personal folders in Windows 7. In this case, only you will be able to view their contents.

Why do you need a password?

In Windows 7, a password-protected folder is the same as in everyday life, a locked apartment door or a safe in which the necessary financial documents or personal diaries are stored.

In order to get into an apartment or open a safe, you need a key, and to view the contents of a protected folder you need a password. It's not all that complicated.

Setting a password

In the Windows 7 system itself, it is possible to set access levels for various user groups, including on the network. In addition, you can create a special key file with a password and use it to give access to folders.

Basically, to password-protect folders in Windows 7, external software is used to perform information security tasks. Currently, there are at least two dozen free and paid programs with which you can set a password for any document, archive or folder in the system:

  • LocK-A-FoLdeR;
  • Folder Lock Lite;
  • Folder Protector;
  • WinRaR;
  • 7-ZIP;
  • Flash Crypt;
  • Anvide Lock Folder;
  • Hide Folders.

Any of the listed programs can be found on the Internet using the Google or Yandex search engines.

Creating a key file with a password

Windows 7 comes with an optional EFS file system that protects data at the physical level. You need to create a special key file with a pfx extension, which will be stored on a flash drive or on a computer.

  1. First, right-click on the folder you are going to password-protect and select the “Properties” tab from the drop-down context menu. Selecting the folder properties tab
  2. In the folder properties window that opens, select the “General” tab in the top menu and in the “Attributes” section, click on the “Other” button. Selecting Attributes
  3. A window for selecting additional attributes will open. Check the content encryption checkbox.
    Select content encryption
  4. In the next window that opens, select “Encrypt content to protect data.”
    Select folder and content
  5. Confirm the start of the encryption process by clicking on “Archive now”.

    Archiving confirmation
  6. Next, the export of certificates will automatically start. Click "Next".

    Beginning of work
  7. In the next window, check the radio button for selecting the PFX extension of the key file.

    Selecting a file type
  8. Set a password for the key file.

    Setting a password
  9. Export the data to a key file. To do this, click the “Browse” button and select the storage location and the name of the key file with extension. In our case, this is C:/Users/Sergey/Documents/dok.pfx. And click “Next” again.

    Choosing a name for the key file
  10. In the last open window that completes the creation of the key file, click the “Finish” button.

Shutdown

Now no outsider will be able to use the information located in the encrypted folder without knowing the password and having a key file.

This protection method is applicable only if Windows 7 uses the NTFS file system.

LocK-A-FoLdeR

This free program is the ideal solution for any demanding user.

  1. After installation and launch, enter the master password twice, which will protect any folders in Windows 7.
  2. Next, click on the Lock A Folder tab and select the desired directory on your computer, then close the program. Protection is enabled.

Now no attacker will be able to get to your private information, because folders protected by the program will become invisible. They cannot be copied, deleted or damaged.

To restore access to a protected directory, open the program again, select the required folder in the window and click on the UnLock selected Folder unlock tab.


Lock a custom folder

If desired, you can change the master password by clicking on the Change Master Password tab.

There is no Russian translation of the program, but if you wish, you can do it yourself by creating your own Russian.ini text file with the translation in the language folder at C:Program Files/Lock A Folder/Lang. Take the content from the English.ini file and translate all expressions in quotes.

Folder Lock Lite

A paid program that allows you to protect files, folders and even entire disks. There is a 30-day trial period. Cost 39.95 USD (3000 rubles). Uses a master password, which you will need to enter twice the first time you launch Folder Lock Lite.


Folder Lock Lite is an easy to use program with a 30-day trial period

To install protection, you can simply drag the desired folder into the program window with the mouse, after which it will be locked and invisible to users whose access to the folder is prohibited without a password.

Folder Protector

When installing protection on folders, encryption is used.Folder Protector works from any media; it does not need to be installed. Just run the executable exe file, then select the desired folder, enter the password twice and click the button with the “Protect” lock.

All your files located inside the protected folder will become invisible to intruders. There will only be a small file left that is needed to unlock it.


Folder Protector does not require installation on your computer

The free version of the program has some limitations. Encryption can only be configured in the paid Pro version. Its cost is 22.95 USD (1700 rubles).

WinRaR

A convenient free program for archiving data and setting a password for files and folders. The necessary documents can be viewed directly from the archive.

Operating procedure:



Setting a password

This completes archiving and password-protecting the folder.

After using archive programs, delete the original folder.

How to password protect folders using the WinRaR archiver (video)

7-ZIP

This program, like the previous one, is free.The sequence of actions in 7-ZIP is the same as in WinRaR. The only difference is the ability to select the type of file extension.

  1. After the program is launched, use the mouse to activate the desired folder, click the “Add” button at the top of the window and set the archive format in the tab that opens.
  2. Enter your password twice.
  3. Click the “OK” button and close the program.

The 7-ZIP program allows you to select the type of file extension

Flash Crypt

This free program uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect folders in Windows 7. In this case, the data is not hidden, but it is impossible to view it without a password. Flash Crypt works through the context menu. It is possible to change the program settings and enable data compression during encryption. If you lose your password, it is possible to recover it.

Sequencing:



Setting a password

Anvide Lock Folder

This is a free portable software utility that does not require installation and works from a flash drive. Anvide Lock Folder can also be located in any folder on your computer.

Sequencing:

  1. Launch the program using the ALF.exe file.
  2. First, you should secure the utility itself, for which you click on the icon with the image of a wrench and enter passwords on the “Security” tab.
  3. After this, drag the user folder into the program window or add it using the button with the “+” sign.
  4. Now all that remains is to click on the closed lock icon, enter the password twice, click the “Close access” button and exit the program.

Anvide Lock Folder can be located in any folder on your computer

In this case, the folder will be hidden and access to it will only be possible from Anvide Lock Folder.

Hide Folders

Shareware program from the developer FSPro Labs with a 30-day trial period. The program provides 4 types of protection:

  • hiding files;
  • access blocking;
  • hiding files and blocking access;
  • permission to read information without the ability to edit or delete.

Hide Folders works simply:



Setting a password for the program

How to set a password for a network folder

Different groups of users working on the network have different levels of access to information located on one of the network computers. These are restrictions on reading, creating and editing various files, etc. Access is prohibited by setting a password on a network working folder. Only a user with administrator rights can set protection.

Procedure:

  1. Sequentially open “Start” and “My Computer”, then in the top menu select the “Tools” tab and in the drop-down list the line “Folder Options”.
  2. After that, go through the top menu to the “View” tab.
  3. Here, uncheck the “Use simple file sharing” option and click the “OK” button at the bottom.

Windows 7 may use the NTFS or FAT 32 file system, so there are some differences in the settings. In FAT 32, after right-clicking on the desired folder, select the “Sharing and Security” tab from the drop-down menu, and in NTFS, using the same sequence of actions, select the “Security” tab. Next on the tab, turn on the radio button for sharing a network folder and here in the “Permissions” section you set access levels for each user group. In NTFS, the network setup will first start, after which you enable sharing. Next, everything is configured, as for FAT 32.

Now, if this has not already been done, set login passwords for each of the user groups:

  1. To do this, click “Start,” “Control Panel,” and then “User Accounts.”
  2. Select a user group and add a password.
  3. On the Advanced tab, you can assign passwords for local groups and users.

Now login passwords are set for main and local groups and users, and permissions for performing certain actions are set for the network folder depending on the access level.

In fact, you can protect a network folder in Windows 7 much easier, using the same programs and techniques as for regular folders.

Possible nuances

  1. When installing special protection programs on a computer running Windows 7, keep in mind that you can work with no more than one program, as otherwise the system may fail. Mutual resource blocking occurs.
  2. When uninstalling these programs, you should unlock protected folders because this does not always happen automatically.

Although Windows 7 does not have a built-in ability to directly password protect folders, it can be done using a key file or external programs specifically designed for this purpose. The last option is the simplest and most convenient.

Hello, dear readers. I once wrote about how there is nothing complicated about this. But put a password on a folder in Windows 7 It won't work using standard means. The system does not provide such an option. This is perhaps one of the biggest omissions of the Windows 7 OS developers. For example, it’s easy. But this is not a problem that cannot be solved, there are ways out and we will talk about two ways to solve this issue. The first method is a little tricky, but requires certain knowledge, although not particularly complicated. But when using it, you can protect folders from ordinary users. not everyone can figure it out. The second method is using third-party software, that is, programs, of which there are many. Let's start from the first and we will put a password on a folder in Windows 7 without programs.

Putting a password on a folder in Windows 7 without programs

We need to create a bat file, the so-called “bat file”, and for this I recommend using . You can, of course, create it in a standard Windows notepad, but it will be . Everything will work, but instead of normal text there will be crocodile symbols. So, open Notepad++, create a new document Ctrl + N, set the encoding to OEM 866.


And add this code to it: (See the video below)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 cls @ ECHO OFF title Folder under password if EXIST "Locker" goto UNLOCK if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER:CONFIRM echo Are you going to lock the folder?(Y/N) set /p "cho=: " if % cho % ==Y goto LOCK if % cho % ==y goto LOCK if % cho % ==n goto END if % cho % ==N goto END echo Wrong choice. goto CONFIRM:LOCK ren Private "Locker" attrib +h +s "Locker" echo The folder is locked goto End:UNLOCK echo Enter the password to unlock the folder: set /p "pass=: " if NOT % pass % == enter the password goto FAIL attrib -h -s "Locker" ren "Locker" Private echo Folder successfully unlocked! goto End:FAIL echo Incorrect password goto end:MDLOCKER md Private echo Secret folder created goto End:End

cls @ECHO OFF title Folder under password if EXIST "Locker" goto UNLOCK if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER:CONFIRM echo Are you going to lock the folder?(Y/N) set/p "cho=: " if %cho%==Y goto LOCK if %cho%==y goto LOCK if %cho%==n goto END if %cho%==N goto END echo Wrong choice. goto CONFIRM:LOCK ren Private "Locker" attrib +h +s "Locker" echo The folder is locked goto End:UNLOCK echo Enter the password to unlock the folder: set/p "pass=: " if NOT %pass%== enter the password goto FAIL attrib -h -s "Locker" ren "Locker" Private echo Folder successfully unlocked! goto End:FAIL echo Incorrect password goto end:MDLOCKER md Private echo Secret folder created goto End:End

Instead of the words: “enter your password,” we set our own password. The name of this file does not matter. Save it with bat permission. For example lock.bat is quite suitable. We place it in the directory where the password-protected folder will be stored. For example, on a hard drive. Double-clicking on this “body file” will create a folder in this directory called Private, in which you will need to place . that need to be hidden from prying eyes. Then you need to double-click on the created file. A command line window will open, where you will need to enter the Latin “y” without quotes and press Enter.

After this, the folder will be hidden from prying eyes, and double-clicking on the file will open a window where you will need to enter a password. Agree, not every user will be able to open it and see the password, and most will not even understand what kind of file it is and what it is needed for. I forgot to say that you can put a password on a folder using the 7-zip or WinRar archiver, but then it turns out that we are putting a password on the archive, and not on the folder.

Put a password on a folder in Windows 7 program

For a long time I searched for a suitable program for this case and could not find a normal one. The only thing I liked was Anvide Lock Folder program. A very small program in Russian, which also does not require installation and is completely free, can put a password on a folder in the Windows system. And this applies not only to the seven. In the program window, you need to click on the plus sign and select the desired folder. Then click on the lock and enter the password. For convenience, set a password hint. After which the folder will be hidden on the system.

To see it again, you need to click on unlock and enter the password. As you understand, the program works on the same principle as the first method with a batch file. For me, it’s better to do without programs, but if you need it, you can download it. What do you think? If you know other ways to put a password on a folder in Windows 7, please share. And click on the social media buttons, it’s not difficult for you, right? 😉 If you want to receive bonuses and gifts, then join the lucky team.

There are many tricks on how to put a password on a folder in Windows 7.

It is possible to complete the task using special programs, which can be either paid or free. For example, such as Anvide Lock Folder, Lock-a-Folder or Lim Block Folder.

Here it would be useful to remind you that all free applications, when downloading them, should be checked on services such as Viructotal.com.

It is also possible to protect a folder with a password in Windows 7 using an encrypted archive.

All popular archivers, such as WinZIP, 7-zip, WinRAR, allow you to set a password for the archive, as well as encrypt the contents of the folder.

How to set a password for an archive

This method is absolutely reliable, because the files will be truly encrypted, unlike using applications where you simply set a password for the folder.

So, using the example of using the 7-zip archiver, we select the folder that needs to be password protected. You can call it whatever you want. Right-click on the created folder and find the item in the context

A window of the same name opens. Select a section in it Encryption, in the fields of which we enter the invented password And be sure to check the checkbox Encrypt file names.

Checkbox Show password it is not necessary to put. Click Ok. A new archive is created. Now, when you try to log in, the archiver requires you to enter a password.

If this password is unknown, then you will not be able to get into the archive, even through the menu Extract files.

Anvide Lock Folder App

A password is set to start the program, you need to enter it and the program window will appear.

Now, to password protect a folder, you just need to take it and drag it into the program window.

Then you need to click on it and press Padlock. In the form that appears, enter your password and click Close access.

You don't have to include a password hint. That's all, the folder is under a password.

You can also not transfer it to the program window, but click the icon + and select it on your computer.

If you open Explorer now, you will notice that the folder under the password has disappeared, it is simply not visible. It disappears from the user's eyes.

To return it to Explorer, you need to click on it in the program window and unlock it. The folder will appear again in Explorer.

Using Lock-a-Folder

Lock-a-Folder is free and open source. Installs and hides it from prying eyes from Explorer or from the desktop.

The utility does not have a Russian language, but is very simple and easy to use.

To password protect a folder, you need to follow simple instructions:

  • Download and install the program
  • Set a master password upon initial launch, which will also be the folder password.
  • Add folders that require locking to the list in the main window.
  • To unlock, you need to run the program again, select a folder from the list and click UnLock.

The program is free in Russian, easy to use and recommended for use. Website: maxlim.org. It works similar to the previous one.

Password for a folder using standard Windows 7 tools

There is another way to password protect a folder in Windows 7 without using any third-party programs.

To do this, select the folder that requires protection and go into it. You need to create one document in the folder using the standard notepad included in Windows 7.

We follow the path - Start - All Programs - Accessories and open WordPad.

In the document that opens, paste a small code with the following content:

_______________________________________________________________________

title Folder Private

if EXIST "HTG Locker" goto UNLOCK

if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER

echo Are you sure you want to lock the folder(Y/N)

set/p "cho=>"

if %cho%==Y goto LOCK

if %cho%==y goto LOCK

if %cho%==n goto END

if %cho%==N goto END

echo Invalid choice.

ren Private "HTG Locker"

attrib +h +s "HTG Locker"

echo Folder locked

echo Enter password to unlock folder

set/p "pass=>"

if NOT %pass%== PASSWORD_GOES_HERE goto FAIL

attrib -h -s "HTG Locker"

ren "HTG Locker" Private

echo Folder Unlocked successfully

echo Invalid password

echo Private created successfully

____________________________________________________________________

In the line of code, instead of PASSWORD_GOES_HERE (blue text), you need to add your password, for example, 12345.

The files that need to be saved should be placed in this folder. These can be documents, videos, etc.

After this, left-click on the locket file again, the command line opens,

in which you need to confirm your intention to password-protect the folder, after which the Private folder disappears from the screen.

Now, if an outsider wants to see what is in this folder, he will not be able to do this, because the folder is hidden and password-protected.

If an attempt is made to open the locket file, a command prompt will open and ask for a password. If the password is entered incorrectly, nothing will happen.

If you enter the correct password, the folder will appear. Documents can be opened and worked with. Then you can password-protect the folder again.

In these ways, you can put a password on a folder with any content so that no one but you can view them and interfere with your privacy.


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