How to set a password for a folder without additional programs.
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IN this material we will figure out how to password-protect a folder on a computer running Windows. Needless to say, this system does not own function setting a password for individual files and folders, but when working with a computer, sometimes it becomes necessary to hide the contents of a particular folder from prying eyes.
This is especially true when several users work on one PC under one (family members, colleagues at work, etc.), when there is a high degree of probability that your information that you do not want to be seen by strangers will sooner or later be viewed by them.
Although the means operating system and it is possible to restrict access to information, for example, by creating accounts with limited privileges, but there are often situations when it is justified to only password-protect one or several folders, for example, when transferring a flash drive to other hands, on which personal data is located along with public data. Naturally, it is better to hide personal information. The easiest way to do this is using third party programs.
How to set a password for a folder or file using an archiver
Consider this operation using the example of the free 7-ZIP archiver, which can be downloaded from here. Download and install this program, which is considered one of the most effective data tools with strong encryption. Zip the desired folder or file with a password, according to the following instructions:
When you double click on the file, a password entry window will appear, 
after it correct set the folder will be opened in the archiver window, where you can view files, modify or delete them.
It is possible that when working with an archive folder for the first time, it will not open on double click on it in the 7Zip program, then set the file association with this program by clicking right click on the file name, select from the menu .
In the window that opens, select 7-Zip file manager, if not, click the button Review and select the program's executable file in the explorer. Don't forget to check the checkbox " Use the selected program for all files of this type", so that in the future the password-protected folder opens immediately by double-clicking.
Important! Come up with a strong yet easy-to-remember password. How to do this is described in the article "". If the password is forgotten, then access to the folder will be lost forever!
The considered method is attractive in that the user receives two functions in his system for free at once: protecting confidential data from prying eyes and archiving information for backup.
Except this method the folder can be password-protected using specialized programs, of which a sufficient number have been developed. Unfortunately, most of them are English language, so you should consider one of the few free Russian-language programs of this type— Anvid Seal Folder.
First of all, you need to download the program from the official website of the developer and install it. During its installation, it will offer to install additional services search engine Yandex, which you can refuse by unchecking the appropriate boxes.
By launching Anvide Seal Folder, you can add a folder or several folders necessary for password protection by clicking on the + icon in the program toolbar.
Next, right-click on the folder name, in the list of added in the program window, call up a menu where select " Close access» and set a password for the selected directory. Thus, you can set different passwords for folders by selecting them one by one.
And you can password-protect all directories added to the list with one password by selecting " Close access to all folders».
Anvide Seal Folder is simple and intuitive for anyone, even a novice computer user. The only requirement is the need to unlock protected folders when updating the program.
Choose any way you like to password-protect a folder, each of them will help to keep your personal information intact.
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Greetings to all readers of the blog. If you do most of your work on a computer that you are not working on alone, then in some cases it is better to protect personal information from unwanted viewing.
How to put a password on a folder or file the topic of our today's article. Unfortunately, the Windows developers did not take care of such a simple function as the ability to set a password to access data. The maximum that they can offer you is to restrict access to data to certain users. But since we are used to working at a computer through one user, then this way will give us nothing. How to put a password on a folder?
2 Put a password on the folder 2nd method
Downloading the program password protection.
How to put a password on a folder using − Password protect. Unpack the archive and run the program. This Portable version so installation is not required.
Unpacking one of archives 600kb. Go to the unpacked folder and run the program Password protect This window will open before us:
Click lock folders. And select from the list the one on which you want to put a password.
We enter the same password twice and optionally leave a hint in case you forget the password.
All password set. Now, when accessing the folder, you will need to enter a password. Thus, you can set passwords for any folders. Well, to hide files from prying eyes, put them in a folder with a password.
3 Folder password - 3rd method
We set a password using the popular archiver programs - WinRar. Since many data have an archiver installed, I will not give a link to the program. If suddenly you do not have this program, then just enter in any search engine download winrar and download the program from the first link.
In this way, we put a password on the archive in which you can store files and other data together. Adding data to the archive
In general, all methods for setting a password are as follows:
- the user throws into one directory all the data that he would like to protect;
- sets a password for the folder;
- the security system encrypts the data;
- if necessary, you can access the folder by entering a password.
The need to hide important files may arise not only if there is a possibility of physical access, but also from penetration from the outside, for example, from the network using viruses.
How to put a password on a computer folder using operating system tools
Unfortunately, regular systems for setting a password in Windows family No. Therefore, you have to use external programs for this. But there is one trick that will allow you not to set a password, but to hide the folder as if it does not exist. Even switching to view mode hidden files will not help. And only the owner will know where she lies. This method works best on directories that are on the desktop. To begin with, we need any folder.
We right-click on it, select "Properties" and look for the "Settings" tab.
Here we are interested in the "Change Icon" button. After clicking on it, a window with several standard display options will open. You need to scroll the slider a little to the right until empty space and select it. After applying the settings, you need to click OK, then again.
As a result, the folder will remain without any icon.
However, the name remains, which betrays it with a head. Unfortunately, Windows won't let you save a directory without a name or with a simple space. But we can always insert non-breaking space. This can be done using the Alt-code, that is, a set of characters that become available when you press the Alt key + a combination of numbers. We click on our folder, select rename and, instead of the old name, enter 0160 while pressing Alt key. That's all, the folder is not visible, but exists. The only drawback of this method is that it can be "groped" on the desktop of some versions of Windows, for example, 7, by moving the mouse over the desktop or by selecting the area with our folder.
Naturally, the method is the simplest, and a person who is well versed in computers will be able to find the hidden directory if necessary, but if there is no other possibility, then it can be used as an option. By the way, a table of Alt-codes can be found on Wikipedia, which can sometimes help out when working with text.
How to password-protect an Excel or Word file
Word and Excel office suites have their own file password protection systems. But there are a lot of versions of the programs themselves, so let's go through them in order. Versions of Word, up to and including 2003, can be protected through the "Tools" menu, in which you need to find "Options", go into them and go to the "Security" tab.
In the "Encryption settings for this document”, in the “Password to open file” field, you just need to enter the password and click OK. Naturally, then you should save the entire document.
How to put a password on Word file? Here the scheme has changed a little. The Office logo is responsible for the menu, which you must click on. The “Prepare” item will give us another menu in which we need to find “Encrypt Document”. The system will ask you to enter a password to save by clicking OK.
Setting a password on a Word 2007 file
Before password-protecting a Word 2010 file, you need to go to "File", "Details", then "Protect Document" and encrypt it with a password. By the way, in newer versions, for example, 2013, this process is carried out similarly.
Now a little about Excel. It is also presented in several versions that were released at different times. Since the office usually comes in batches, in Excel all actions are performed similarly to Word. That is, in Excel 2003 you can protect a file with a password like this.
In the 2007 version, just like in Word, you can password-protect a file through the Office logo.
Well, in versions above 2010, protection is installed almost the same.
By the way, in other programs Microsoft package Office can set a password also.
How to make a password for a folder in a computer by archivers
Any archiver contains a mechanism for encrypting archives with protection. This can be used to hide important data. However, this is a rather inconvenient way, since you will have to unpack the archive every time you need access. But it can be suitable in cases where you need to save data for a long time, for example, when leaving on a business trip or vacation. Before password-protecting a folder on the desktop or directly on the hard drive, one of the archivers must be installed in the system.
How to password-protect a folder on a PC using WinRar
Hiding a directory in an archive with WinRar is as easy as shelling pears. Before you put a password on a folder in Windows 7, you must first install this archiver. We find the folder we want to hide, right-click on it and select "Add to archive" or "Add to archive" for the English version in the context menu.
A window will open containing various settings future archive. We are interested in the "Set password" or "Set Password" button. She, in turn, will give out another window that will ask you to enter a password. After filling in the fields, you can click OK. And then again, after which an archive with a password will appear in the current directory, inside which our protected folder will be located.
Password setting screen in WinRar
By default, the WinRar archiver does not delete the source folder, so you will have to delete it manually.
How to encode a folder on a computer using 7-zip
7-zip is a free archiver that can work with a large number of archives. It can also be used to create a password-protected folder on your computer. Actions are almost the same as those in WinRar. You need to right-click on the selected folder, select 7-zip and then "Add to archive".
A window with settings will open. Among them there is an "Encryption" block, in which you need to specify a password for protection and save all changes. After that, it will be possible to detect a new archive with a default extension of type 7z.
Screenshot of the archive settings window
Naturally, after the folder is password-protected, for example, on a computer with Windows 7 and 7-zip, then in order to read it on another computer and be able to enter the password, you will also need an installed archiver, and not necessarily 7-zip.
How to set a password for a folder with programs and a high level of protection
The best way to protect data is to use third party programs, which can set a password for a directory, regardless of the type of operating system. In addition, they also encrypt the data inside it so that they cannot be read even from under other systems. There are several main popular programs.
Password Protect USB
The program is shareware, and its full version costs about $40. After installation, a new item "Lock with Password Protect USB" will appear in the context menu when you right-click. After clicking on it, a window will open in which you just need to enter the password and click OK. After that, when you try to enter the directory, you will be asked for an access password.
The program can block data on internal and external media.
Folder Lock
This program can encrypt folders on external and internal drives, protect them with a password, and manage them. You can set passwords directly from the program interface. You can also protect entire partitions on removable media and even CDs right from here.
hide folders
The application, in addition to protecting folders with a password, can completely hide them from prying eyes.
The program runs invisibly in the background all the time. Therefore, it provides reliable protection against viruses or unauthorized access. All settings and password settings are made directly from the program.
How to password protect a folder on a flash drive
There are practically no universal and standard solutions for the Windows environment. All methods, one way or another, imply the presence on other computers installed programs, with the help of which encryption and password setting were performed. Most convenient way can be considered a Lockngo program. She is paid and standard version will have to pay about 300 rubles. But it can be executed, regardless of the platform and the presence of the desired application in the system.
Almost every user of a PC or laptop stores information on the device that he would like to hide from third-party attention - working documents, personal photos and videos, some important files, etc.
There are many ways to achieve privacy, but the easiest is to set a password for a folder with content that needs to be hidden.
You will learn how to do this from this article.
Before proceeding to a direct examination of specialized programs that allow you to set a password for folders and archives in Windows environment, first read the rules for creating effective passwords - those that it will be very difficult for attackers to pick up by hand or using automatic software.
If you're having trouble thinking strong password on your own, you can use one of the many online generators.
It is enough to enter the phrase “password generator” in Google or Yandex and follow one of the links on the first page.
As a rule, most of these services allow you to set the desired options - the number of characters, the use of uppercase and special characters, numbers, etc.
All that remains is to copy the resulting combination and save it in a safe place (it is best to write it down on paper).
Programs for setting a password for a folder in Windows
Let's move on to the consideration of special software for protecting folders with a password.
Choice similar programs truly diverse, but it is best to use solutions proven by hundreds of thousands of users - such as will be described below.
- Password Protect USB
The program allows you to set a password for a folder on your computer - you only need to run the application once, select the desired directory and click on the “Lock Folder” button in the main window.
Then, in the highlighted field, enter the required sequence of letters and numbers.
So you can protect information on several devices at once by writing Password Protect to a USB flash drive and connecting it if necessary.
- Folder Protector
Folder Protector not only allows you to set a password for the selected folder, but also encrypts its contents.
An outsider, without access to the program and the master password, will not be able to get inside the folder and get acquainted with its contents.
To set a password, just launch the application, click on the folder icon in the main window and select the directory located on the computer or the device connected to it.
After that, another window will open where you will need to enter a sequence of password characters, confirm it and, if you want, leave yourself a “Password Hint” hint.
The program works with all more or less current versions of Windows - 2003, XP and higher, it is very easy to use and weighs a little less than a megabyte.
The only drawback is that full version you have to pay almost 23 dollars.
- Dir Lock
Another handy tool to protect the contents of your folders. A small program a couple of hundred kilobytes in size is embedded into context menu Windows Explorer.
To protect a particular directory, just right-click on it and find the “Lock” button in the expanded list.
A window will immediately open where you will need to enter and confirm your password.
Nearby are the Add and Remove Context Menu buttons - they allow you to unload the program from the context menu and load it back.
If you no longer need to password protect a folder, you can remove the lock.
To do this, simply run Dir Lock. The main window will display a list of all password-protected folders on the connected device.
Select the desired directory from the list and click on the “Unlock selected directory” button. You will have to enter the password again, after which the protection will be removed.
- Anvide Seal Folder
Looking for demon paid programs to set passwords that will not be inferior in functionality to paid solutions?
Then you should definitely take a closer look at Anvide Seal Folder.
This freely distributed application works very simply - click on the plus sign in the main menu, specify the path to the directory that needs protection, and set a password for it in the window that appears.
Alternatively, you can simply drag the desired folder (or even several selected folders at once) into the program window by holding down the left mouse button.
If you are afraid to forget your password, add a security question/hint to it.
In addition to being free, Anvide Seal Folder has a number of other advantages - there are several languages, including full Russian localization, the ability to automatic update before current version, work in the background and several options appearance(skins).
We put a password on the folder using archivers
As practice shows, the average PC user does not have to download additional software to protect confidential information in your system.
Archiving programs used by almost every active user also have similar functionality.
How to put a password on a network folder in Windows
The procedure for setting passwords for folders that you want to make available to multiple users by local network, somewhat more complicated than the previously described manipulations.
Consider the sequence of actions for Windows example 7 (other versions may have differences, but they will be minor):
Everyone loves secrets, but not everyone knows how to password protect a folder with files in Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7. In some cases, a protected folder on a computer is a pretty necessary thing in which you can store passwords to very important accounts on the Internet, work files not intended for others and much more.
Programs to set a password for a folder in Windows 10, Windows 7 and 8
Let's start with programs designed to protect folders with a password. Unfortunately, among the free utilities for this, there is little that can be recommended, but still I managed to find two and a half solutions that can still be advised.
Attention: despite my recommendations, do not forget to check freeware downloads on services such as Virustotal.com. Although at the time of writing this review I have tried to highlight only the “clean” ones and manually checked each utility, this may change over time and updates.
Anvide Seal Folder
Anvide Seal Folder (previously, as I understand it - Anvide Lock Folder) is the only adequate free program in Russian to set a password for a folder in Windows, while not trying to covertly (but openly offers Yandex elements, be careful) to install any unwanted software on your computer.
After starting the program, you can add to the list the folder or folders that you need to put a password on, then press F5 (or right-click on the folder and select "Clear access") and set a password for the folder. It can be separate for each folder, or you can “Close access to all folders” using one password. Also, by clicking on the image of the "Castle" on the left in the menu bar, you can set a password to run the program itself.
By default, after access is closed, the folder disappears from its location, but in the program settings you can also enable encryption of the folder name and file contents for better protection. Summing up - a simple and understandable solution that will be easy for any novice user to understand and protect their folders from access by unauthorized persons, which also includes some interesting additional features(for example, if someone enters the password incorrectly, you will be informed about this when you run the program with the correct password).
Official site where you can download the Anvide Seal Folder program for free anvidelabs.org/programms/asf/
Lock-a-Folder
Free open source program source code Lock-a-folder is a very simple solution for setting a password on a folder and hiding it from the explorer or desktop from strangers. The utility, despite the lack of the Russian language, is very easy to use.
All that is required is to set a master password at the first start, and then add the folders that you want to block to the list. Unlocking occurs in a similar way - we launched the program, selected a folder from the list and pressed the Unlock Selected Folder button. The program does not contain any additional offers installed with it.
Details about the use and where to download the program:.
DirLock
DirLock is another free program to set passwords for folders. It works as follows: after installation, the “Lock / Unlock” item is added to the context menu of folders, respectively, to lock and unlock these folders.
This item opens the DirLock program itself, where the folder should be added to the list, and you, accordingly, can set a password for it. But, in my test on Windows 10 Pro x64, the program refused to work. I also did not find the official website of the program (there are only developer contacts in the About window), but it is easily found on many sites on the Internet (but do not forget about checking for viruses and malware).
Lim Block Folder (Lim Lock Folder)
The free Russian-language utility Lim Block Folder is recommended almost everywhere where it comes to setting passwords for folders. However, it is categorically blocked. Windows Defender 10 and 8 (as well as SmartScreen), but from the point of view of Virustotal.com - clean (one detection, probably false).
The second point - I was not able to get the program to work in Windows 10, including in compatibility mode. Nevertheless, judging by the screenshots on the official website, the program should be easy to use, and, judging by the reviews, it works. So if you have Windows 7 or XP you can try.
Official website of the program - maxlim.org
Paid programs for setting a password on folders
The list of free third-party folder protection solutions that can be at least somewhat recommended is limited to those that have been listed. But there are also paid programs for these purposes. Perhaps some of them will seem more acceptable to you for your purposes.
hide folders
The Hide Folders program is a functional solution for protecting folders and files with a password, hiding them, which also includes Hide Folder Ext to set a password on external drives and flash drives. In addition, Hide Folders is in Russian, which makes it easier to use.
The program supports several options for protecting folders - hiding, password locking or a combination of both, is also supported remote control protection over the network, hiding traces of the program, calling by hot keys and integration (or lack thereof, which may also be relevant) with Windows Explorer, exporting lists of protected files.
In my opinion, one of the best and most convenient solutions of this kind, although paid. The official website of the program is http://fspro.net/hide-folders/ (free trial version works for 30 days).
IoBit Protected Folder
Iobit Protected Folder - very simple program to set a password for folders (similar to free utilities DirLock or Lock-a-Folder), in Russian, but at the same time paid.
Understanding how to use the program, I think, can be obtained simply from the screenshot above, and no explanation is needed. When you lock a folder, it disappears from Windows Explorer. The program is compatible with Windows 10, 8 and Windows 7, and you can download it from the official website en.iobit.com
Folder Lock from newsoftwares.net
Folder Lock does not support the Russian language, but if this is not a problem for you, then perhaps this is the program that provides the most functionality when protecting folders with a password. In addition to actually setting a password for a folder, you can:
- Create "safes" with encrypted files (this is more secure than a simple folder password).
- Enable automatic blocking when exiting the program, from Windows or turning off the computer.
- Safely delete folders and files.
- Receive reports of incorrectly entered passwords.
- Turn on covert work hotkey programs.
- Create backups encrypted files online.
- Creation of encrypted "safes" in the form of exe-files with the ability to open on other computers where the Folder Lock program is not installed.
The same developer has additional funds to protect your files and folders - Folder Protect, USB Block, USB Secure, slightly different functions. For example, Folder Protect, in addition to setting a password for files, can prohibit their deletion and modification
All developer programs are available for download (free trial versions) on the official website http://www.newsoftwares.net/
Set a password for a folder archive in Windows
All popular archivers - WinRAR, 7-zip, WinZIP support setting a password for the archive and encrypting its contents. That is, you can add a folder to such an archive (especially if you rarely use it) with a password, and delete the folder itself (that is, so that it remains easy password-protected archive). At the same time, this method will be more reliable than simply setting passwords for folders using the programs described above, since your files will actually be encrypted.
Password for the folder without programs in Windows 10, 8 and 7 (Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise only)
If you really want to do reliable protection for your files from strangers in Windows and do without programs while on your computer Windows version with BitLocker support, I would recommend the following way to set a password for your folders and files:
Of what Windows itself has to offer, this is probably the most reliable way protect files and folders on your computer.
Another way without programs
This method is not too serious and does not really protect much, but for general development I bring it here. First, create any folder that we will password protect. Next - create Text Document in this folder with the following content:
Cls @ECHO OFF title Password folder 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 Folder locked goto End:UNLOCK echo Enter password to unlock folder set/p "pass=>" if NOT %pass%== YOUR_PASSWORD goto FAIL attrib -h -s "Locker" ren "Locker" Private echo Folder successfully unlocked goto End:FAIL echo Wrong password goto end:MDLOCKER md Private echo Private folder created goto End:End
Save this file with .bat extension and run it. After you run this file, a Private folder will be automatically created, where you should save all your super-secret files. After all the files have been saved, run our .bat file again. When asked if you want to lock the folder, press Y - as a result, the folder will simply disappear. If you need to open the folder again - run the .bat file, enter the password, and the folder appears.
The method, to put it mildly, is unreliable - in this case, the folder is simply hidden, and when you enter the password it is shown again. In addition, someone more or less savvy in computers can look into the contents of a bat file and find out the password. But, nevertheless, I think that this method will be of interest to some novice users. Once upon a time, I also learned from such simple examples.
How to put a password on a folder in MacOS X
Luckily, on an iMac or Macbook, setting a password for a file folder is no problem at all.
Here's how to do it:
- Open "Disk Utility" (Disk Utility), located in "Programs" - "Utilities"
- In the menu, select "File" - "New" - "Create image from folder." You can also just click "New Image"
- Specify image name, size ( large quantity data cannot be saved into it) and the type of encryption. Click Create.
- The next step will prompt you to enter your password and confirm your password.
That's all - now you have a disk image, which can be mounted (and therefore read or saved files) only after entering correct password. At the same time, all your data is stored in encrypted form, which increases security.
That's all for today - we looked at several ways to put a password on a folder in Windows and MacOS, as well as a couple of programs for this. I hope this article will be useful for someone.