How to Set Password for Folder and File in Windows

Tip: Before creating any password-protected documents, you may want to create a backup of non-password protected folders and files in case you forget the password in the future.

Set folder and file passwords in Windows 7, 8, and 10

Unfortunately, Windows 7 and Windows 8, Windows 10 does not provide any password protection for folders or files. You need to encrypt it or use a third party software program to do this.

Use available features of Windows

This feature is an encryption feature only available in Windows 10 Pro and other versions except Windows 10 Home. This is not a complete password protection, it just doesn't allow other accounts on Windows to open your file.

If you want to encrypt a folder or file, this can be done by following these steps:

1. Select the file or folder you want to create a password.
2. Right-click the file or folder and select Properties .
3. On the General tab, click the Advanced button.
4. Check the box for the option ' Encrypt contents to secure data '.
5. Then click OK .

Note:

1. This encryption method is only used for computers that have multiple user accounts. When you encrypt data on one account, the other accounts will not be able to see the data. However, if other users have your account password, they can still see the encrypted data normally.

Use Winrar software to set Password to protect folders and files

Winrar is a software that supports compressing and decompressing files and folders, and has a password protection feature to protect those files and folders. This is also an indispensable software for your computer.

Step 1: Download and update the Winrar software

Step 2: Select the folder or file to create a password.

Step 3: Right-click and select Add to archive .

Step 4: At General tab . Choose Set Passwword .

Step 5: A new window will appear. Select the Encrypt file name box, enter 'Password for Folder' into Enter password and 're-enter password' in the Reenter password for verification box . Then click Ok -> Ok to finish creating the password.

End. A dodge folder is created and when you click it you need to enter the password in the Enter password box to open or extract the folder.

Detailed video tutorial

Set folder and file passwords with Windows XP Professional

The following steps to encrypt files on Windows XP Professional apply to users who are using a computer with two or more accounts. If you are using a single account

1. Select the file or folder you want to create a password.
2. Right-click the file or folder and select Properties .
3. On the General tab, click the Advanced button.
4. Check the ' Encrypt contents to secure data ' option.
5. Click Apply and then OK .

Note: You will not be prompted to enter a password when encrypting a folder in Windows XP Pro. However, other user accounts on your computer will not have access to the files contained in the encrypted folder.

Windows XP Home users

1. Select the file or folder you want to create a password.
2. Right-click the file or folder and select Properties .
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Check the box Make this folder private
5. Click Apply and then OK .

Make sure this folder is grayed out

For this option to work on Microsoft Windows XP Home edition, you must meet the requirements below.

1. The hard drives must be formatted as NTFS and FAT32 without File System.
2. The folders you are trying to encrypt are your own personal folders. For example, if your name is Bob, you must encrypt the following folder or a folder contained in the following folder:

C: Documents and SettingsBob

You cannot encrypt any folder outside of this folder. If you want to encrypt folders outside this folder, see the other security solutions section below.

Another security solution to protect older F and your files in Windows

Frequently used folders and files - An easy way to password protect this file is to create an archive of files using a compression tool. Once the archive is created, you can encrypt the content by specifying a password.

Windows ME and Windows XP - Windows ME and Windows XP come with their own compression utility. This utility can also be used to compress and password protect files

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users - Windows Vista and Windows 7 also include a compression utility. However, password protection for compressed files is impossible without using a third-party software program.

Tip: When a File is compressed, users can still view a list of files in the compressed files. If you want both your file names and the contents to be hidden, move all the unique Folders and Files and password protect that folder.

Folders and Files are frequently used or accessed

If you need to protect the password or encrypt the data you frequently use, you need to install a third-party program that allows you to protect your folders and files. Here are some free and commercial solutions.

1. 7-Zip - A free file and Folder compression utility, which also includes the ability to password protect files and folders are compressed.
2. AxCrypt - A great free encryption utility that allows users to encrypt all files in a Folder and doesn't allow files to be viewed unless a passphrase (password) is known.
3. Folder Guard - A commercial version of a password protection software that allows you to password protect files, folders, and other Windows resources.
4. Protected Folder - For a small fee, it is an excellent software program that allows you to password protect folders.

Things to remember when encrypting or password protecting files and F older

1. There is no such thing as a 100% protected file. There are many tools, utilities and instructions on how to break encryption and passwords on files. However, the protection methods listed above will protect your files from the majority of users who may encounter them. If you are working with really sensitive data, we recommend a commercial product to protect your files and data.
2. Although a folder or file may be password protected, it can still be deleted (except for programs that support the ability to protect deleted files). Always remember to back up all your files, even those that are password protected.
3. If you forget your password, unless you are willing to take the time to try to break it or pay someone else to break the password, all the data in folders or files will be lost. Therefore, it is important to back up a copy of a password-protected folder or file, just in case.

Kareem Winters

Update 16 April 2020