Windows 10 How To Password Protect A File

Nosotros all take computer files nosotros'd similar to go along secret from the world, simply not everyone knows how to password protect a binder in Windows ten. Whether y'all're hiding notes from someone with access to your computer or (hopefully) something less drastic, you lot're immune to have some privacy. Fortunately, in Windows 10, you can tuck those unmentionable plans or files in a undercover binder that is countersign protected, and you can practise it without buying any boosted software. In one case you've created a new folder in Windows x, here's how to password protect it. You can never exist too careful when it comes to privacy.

How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10

A note before you start:

We've received comments nigh issues people have come across with this how-to. So, we went dorsum and performed multiple rounds of testing internally, and tin can now confirm that following this process closely, stride-by-pace, works — at least on our finish.

Simply but to exist condom, you should start try this how-to using files that you lot tin beget to lose, just in case the method doesn't work for you. Besides, brand certain you're keeping some record, somewhere, of the exact password you lot're using to lock your folder. If yous lose the password, your files aregone, and since every computer is dissimilar, we can't deduce exactly what went incorrect on your end.

Also, yes, the FolderLocker file can be reverse engineered by someone who understands the process, just this isn't meant to keep tech-savvy folks out, but nosy family members who yous don't trust.

Tips from readers:

Do not utilise a password with a space, as this may create an event with the batch file.
Yes, files placed in your locked folder tin can appear in Recent Files list in various apps, such as Microsoft Word.
Dorsum up your backups! Hither'due south how to change your countersign in Windows ten

Here's how to password protect a folder in Windows 10, then you can fill it with files you want to continue secret — and how to lock it, open it and repeat.

How to lock a folder with a password in Windows 10

i.Correct-click inside the folder where the files you want to protect are located. The folder you want to hide can fifty-fifty be on your desktop.

2. Select "New"from the contextual carte.

3.Click on "Text Document."

4. Hit Enter. Information technology doesn't thing what the file will be named. You tin delete this text file once the lockable binder has been fabricated.

v.Double-click the text file to open it.

6. Paste the below text into the new document:

cls

@ECHO OFF

title Folder Locker

if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK

if Non Be Locker goto MDLOCKER

:Confirm

repeat Are you sure u desire to Lock the folder(Y/N)

set up/p "cho=>"

if %cho%==Y goto LOCK

if %cho%==y goto LOCK

if %cho%==due north goto END

if %cho%==Due north goto Cease

repeat Invalid choice.

goto CONFIRM

:LOCK

ren Locker "Control Console.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

attrib +h +due south "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

echo Binder locked

goto End

:UNLOCK

repeat Enter password to Unlock folder

ready/p "pass=>"

if Non %pass%==Your-Password-Hither goto FAIL

attrib -h -due south "Command Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

ren "Command Console.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker

echo Binder Unlocked successfully

goto End

:FAIL

echo Invalid countersign

goto end

:MDLOCKER

medico Locker

echo Locker created successfully

goto Cease

:End

7. Notice where information technology says "Your-Password-Here" in the document.

eight.Supersede "Your-Password-Hither" with the countersign you want to lock the folder with.

9.Click File.

ten. Select "Save As..."

11.Click on the "Text Documents (*.txt)" menu bar that'south adjacent to "Save every bit type:"

12. Select "All Files"

13.Alter the file name to "FolderLocker.bat"

14.Click "Save."

fifteen.Double-click FolderLocker.

The Locker folder has been generated!

16. Fill the Locker folder with the items you want to protect.

17. Open the FolderLocker file, because it's time to lock that binder up!

eighteen. Type "Y" into the screen.

19.Click Enter, and the Folder Locker window will disappear, forth with the Locker binder itself. Your secrets are now prophylactic.

To unlock the folder, double-click "FolderLocker" to open it.

Enter the password you lot entered in Step viii, and click Enter.

Enter the password you entered in Step 8

The Locker folder is back. You lot can open up it to find your hidden files. Repeat Steps 17, 18 and xix to lock the folder again.

Repeat Steps 17, 18 and 19 to lock the folder again

To learn more about how to make use of your laptop, check out our guide for what to do as you set up your new laptop . We've too got instructions if you lot're trying to figure out how to reset Windows x PCs and how to reset your countersign in Windows 10 . Lastly, tired of Windows? We've got a guide that answers the relatively new question of " Should I Buy a Chromebook? "

If you discover yourself running into serious Windows issues, you might need to have advantage of that extended warranty and give tech support a jingle. Check out our Tech Support Showdown to run across how each laptop manufacturer stacks up on the back end.