How To Encrypt Folders On Windows 10

We all take computer files we'd similar to keep hugger-mugger from the globe, only non anybody knows how to password protect a folder in Windows 10. Whether y'all're hiding notes from someone with access to your reckoner or (hopefully) something less drastic, you're allowed to have some privacy. Fortunately, in Windows 10, y'all tin tuck those unmentionable plans or files in a secret folder that is password protected, and you tin can practise it without buying any additional software. Once y'all've created a new folder in Windows 10, here'due south how to countersign protect it. You tin never exist too conscientious when it comes to privacy.

A note before you start:

Nosotros've received comments well-nigh issues people have run into with this how-to. So, we went back and performed multiple rounds of testing internally, and can now confirm that post-obit this process closely, step-by-step, works — at least on our finish.

Simply just to be rubber, yous should showtime endeavor this how-to using files that you can beget to lose, only in example the method doesn't work for you. Also, make sure you're keeping some record, somewhere, of the exact password you're using to lock your folder. If you lose the password, your files aregone, and since every figurer is different, we tin't deduce exactly what went wrong on your end.

Besides, aye, the FolderLocker file can exist contrary engineered by someone who understands the process, but this isn't meant to go on tech-savvy folks out, only nosy family unit members who yous don't trust.

Tips from readers:

Do not use a countersign with a space, every bit this may create an event with the batch file.
Yeah, files placed in your locked folder tin appear in Contempo Files list in diverse apps, such as Microsoft Word.

Here'southward how to countersign protect a folder in Windows ten, so you tin fill it with files you desire to go along secret — and how to lock information technology, open it and echo.

How To Lock a Folder With a Password in Windows ten

1.Right-click within the binder where the files yous want to protect are located. The folder you want to hide can even be on your desktop.

MORE: How to Change Your Password in Windows 10

2. Select "New"from the contextual carte du jour.

3.Click on "Text Certificate."

4. Hit Enter. It doesn't matter what the file will exist named. You can delete this text file once the lockable folder has been made.

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

6. Paste the below text into the new document:

cls

@ECHO OFF

championship Binder Locker

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

if Not EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER

:CONFIRM

repeat Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/North)

prepare/p "cho=>"

if %cho%==Y goto LOCK

if %cho%==y goto LOCK

if %cho%==north goto END

if %cho%==N goto End

repeat Invalid option.

goto CONFIRM

:LOCK

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

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

echo Folder locked

goto End

:UNLOCK

echo Enter countersign to Unlock folder

set/p "pass=>"

if Non %pass%==Your-Password-Here goto Fail

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

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

echo Folder Unlocked successfully

goto End

:Fail

repeat Invalid password

goto end

:MDLOCKER

md Locker

repeat Locker created successfully

goto Terminate

:End

7. Find where it says "Your-Password-Here" in the document.

8.Replace "Your-Password-Here" with the password you want to lock the folder with.

9.Click File.

10. "Select Relieve As..."

11.Click on the "Text Documents (*.txt)" menu bar that'southward next to "Salvage as type:"

12. Select "All Files"

xiii.Modify the file proper name to "FolderLocker.bat"

14.Click "Salvage."

15.Double-click FolderLocker.

The Locker folder has been generated!

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

17. Open up the FolderLocker file, because it'due south time to lock that folder up!

eighteen. Blazon "Y" into the screen.

19.Click Enter, and the Folder Locker window will disappear, along with the Locker folder itself! Your secrets are condom!

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

Enter the password y'all entered in Pace eight, and click Enter.

Enter the password you entered in Step 8, and click Enter

The Locker folder is dorsum. You can open information technology to discover your hidden files. Repeat Steps 17, eighteen and xix to lock the folder again.

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

To learn more than most how to make utilize of your laptop, cheque out our guide for what to practice as you set up your new laptop . Nosotros've also got instructions if yous're trying to figure out how to reset Windows 10 PCs and how to reset your password in Windows 10 . Lastly, tired of Windows? We've got a guide that answers the relatively new question of " Should I Buy a Chromebook? "

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