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Lock the folder with a password. How to put a password on a folder or file on your computer

There are many situations in life when you need to protect data on your or work computer from prying eyes. At the same time, the operating system does not provide such an opportunity by default, so you should use one of the methods described below.

Password protection with installed archivers 7-Zip andWinRar

When installing an operating system, as a rule, one of the standard archivers is included in the package. This may be their advantage in that they immediately convert the files in the folder. To set a password for desired folder, would need:

Right-click on the desired element:

Select the line "Add to archive". A window with configurable parameters will open. By default, the compression level is set to normal. On the left, you should specify the password, which will then be entered to receive. You can also check the box to encrypt files, so that even when you open the folder, other users will not be able to see the file names.

The folder that was encrypted can be deleted; further files will be opened by entering the password when opening the zipped folder.

Setting a password using third-party programs

There are a large number of utilities that are able to set a password for any selected folder. When choosing them, you should be guided by the following rules:

  • download only from the official website of the developers;
  • check for viruses;
  • control the installation process by unchecking the boxes allowing installation additional programs;
  • pay attention to the presence of the Russian language;

At the same time, programs can be either free and freely available, or shareware with a thirty-day trial period, or paid.

Free software

Paid programs

Video - How to put a password on a folder using winrar

Folder Lock program

This program is one of the most popular among the paid ones, as it provides many opportunities:

  • , disk;
  • make files inaccessible to other users;
  • v paid version files and folders cannot be found using Explorer. In free, such an opportunity exists;

On a note! The official website of the program can be viewed in five languages ​​- English, German, Italian, French and Arabic. There is no Russified version of this program.

Developers provide an opportunity to get acquainted with free version programs that can be downloaded by pressing the green button.

The program downloads quickly, its size is only 10 MB.

At startup installation file she will ask you to select the desired language. There is no Russian in the list.

Then you will need to accept the terms of the user agreement.

It is better to uncheck the box in front of the line "Create a shortcut for all users", it is enough to create a shortcut on the desktop.

Installation of the program is quite fast, it takes 5-20 seconds.

When the installation is complete, the program starts automatically. If you uncheck the box next to the line "Launch Folder Lock 7", the launch will not be performed.

You can start the program yourself by clicking the shortcut in the form of a key on the desktop.

When you start the program for the first time, you will be prompted to set a password right away. To do this, you can use virtual keyboard, which is launched by clicking the icon next to the "Ok" button.

Remember this password, as in the future it will be required to open all encrypted files and folders.

Adding files for hiding is done by pressing the button with a closed lock.

Files are unlocked by highlighting desired item, after which you will need to press the button with the image of an open lock.

This program is easy to use and, despite the lack of a Russian version, is easy to use thanks to its intuitive interface. However, only the paid version has these benefits.

The developer's website contains several tariff plans that include different degrees of protection for files, folders and disks. On this moment there is a discount for the full package.

Encrypting folders inMac OS

This operating system allows you to put a password on a folder without using third-party programs... To do this, you need to use disk utility, which is located in the "Programs" section, subsection "Utilities".

In this section, you need to click on the "File" button and select one of two options: "New" - "Disk image from folder" or "New image". They are similar, in the second case, the user is required to perform fewer actions. After that, you should set the path to the selected folder.

After clicking the "Create" icon, the encryption process will start. When 128-bit encryption is selected, the processing speed will be higher, when 256-bit encryption is selected, the security of files is higher. The choice should be made based on your own preferences in the direction of speed or reliability.

When opening a folder, the system will ask for a password. In this case, you can set permission to view, edit and add files.

Important! Using one of these methods, it is important to remember that to restore forgotten password it will be hard. Therefore, you should either write it down, or choose a combination of letters and numbers that is unfamiliar to others, but is meaningful to the user.

Video - How to set a password for a folder or file on a computer

Today, I want to raise such an urgent question for many PC users, how to put a password on a folder or file to protect them from unauthorized opening. This simple procedure will help limit access to personal information that you want to keep secret from other people.

The operating system itself does not provide the capability create passwords to open files and folders. Therefore, you will have to install additional software (programs) for this. You can go in two ways - which can be opened only after entering the password, or use special programs.

How to put a password on a folder using archiving?

Let's consider the first option first. So, we need to zip the selected folder. To do this, click on its name with the right mouse button. A menu will appear in which you should select the "Add to archive" item:

The archiving menu will open. Go to the "Advanced" tab and click on the "Set password" button.

A window will appear. In it, you must enter the combination of numbers and letters selected for the password twice. After that, click "OK". It will also be useful to check the box "Encrypt file names". This will maximize the level of information protection.

That's it, the archive with the password has been created. You can check. Try to open a classified folder. As soon as you try to do this, a window will appear that requires you to enter a password:

How to put a password on a folder or file using the program?

Now let's move on to special programs that will help us put a password on a folder or file... There are quite a few of them. Some of them are paid, but you can also find many on the net. The principle of operation of such programs is practically the same, the menu is also similar. I propose to consider one of the most convenient - Password Protect, you can find and download it in Yandex or Google without any problems.

To organize the possibility of opening a folder or file only after entering a password, first, run the program. A window will appear in which it is proposed to purchase this software. But this is optional, so click the "Run Trial Version" button:

A window will open in which, first, click the "Lock folders" button.

A list of all files and folders that exist on the computer appears. We are looking for the object that we want to "password" in this list, and click "OK":

Now you should come up with a password and enter it in the window that opens. Enter the invented combination of numbers and letters twice, press the "Lock folders" button. Also, in this window, you can write a short explanation of the password, which will help in the future to decrypt it if, for some reason, the cipher is suddenly forgotten or lost. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, put a tick in front of the "Hint" item and in the next line enter information that will help Remember password... But this is not necessary at all.

After clicking on the "Lock folders" button on the folder. What will be reported in the window that opens:

Everything, the program has done its job. Now the folder can be opened only after entering the selected password. Let's check: is everything okay? Try to open the folder - a window appears in which you must enter the password:

Hopefully the question is how to put a password on a folder or your file has disappeared, because it's not difficult at all.

Finally, I would like to advise you to select more complex combinations of symbols, which will include both numbers and letters. Such a password is difficult to guess. But the combination should be easy to remember so that you can easily remember it later. And here write down passwords not worth it. Where is the guarantee that no one will find your entries with passwords?

Good luck to you. Let all the most personal and valuable information will be maximally protected from the prying eyes of others!

Often users find themselves in a situation where it is necessary to hide the contents of a folder or file from prying eyes, so the question arises of how to put a password on the folder.

Unfortunately, the developers of the Windows operating system did not provide for such a function as setting a password for individual custom files and directories.

The OS can only be configured to prevent certain users from using or viewing a specific type of directories, files or programs.

Setting a password for a folder is necessary if:

Put a password on the archive

Using this method, you can password-protect a folder with any types of files, while it is possible to hide the very fact that the archive contains files of a certain format.

The window for entering the code will fly out even before the archive is opened, so it is impossible to find out about its contents if the user does not know the combination.

A password for an archive without programs is the easiest way to protect folders.

Advice! The function of setting a password for an archive does not require preliminary installation of additional software, you just need to have preinstalled free WinRAR or 7-ZIP programs.

To add the desired folder to the archive and password protect it, follow the instructions below:


  • Right-click on the folder you are interested in and add it to the archive, as shown in the figure;

Set password

  • Immediately after you have chosen an action "add to archive", a window will appear with various settings for the parameters of the created archive. Find the button for setting the password, it is shown in the figure;
  • Click on the button that allows you to set a password.

After this action, a small input window will instantly appear. New code must be entered twice (to check the correct entry).

You can also check the box next to the file name encryption option.


Thus, third-party users will not be able to find out anything about the type of hidden files.


After trying to open the archive, we see that first you need to enter the code and only then you can view and edit its contents.

This method of installing the code is the simplest and most effective. However, to implement it, you will need one of the archivers on your computer.

Also, if the code is forgotten or lost, restoring the contents of the archive will become a rather difficult task for the user. That is why you should keep backup protected files, for example, on cloud storage.

Using the above method, you can also password-protect the archive on a USB flash drive.

Useful information:

You can use a utility to create a password on your smartphone. It is designed to lock Android apps with a password. With its help, only you will be able to access the messenger, social networks, camera and gallery, or any other application.

Using PasswordProtect USB

On the Internet you can find great amount third-party software that is able to cope with the task of installing code on the system object you need.

A large proportion of such programs, unfortunately, can harm your files, and not protect them from unauthorized access by other users.

This article presents the most popular and common types of software that have been tested big amount users.

Therefore, these programs will not harm your computer and files that need to be password protected or hidden.

PasswordProtect USB allows you to password-protect folders and remove previously set encryption.

The application has an intuitive user interface, therefore, working with this utility will not be a difficult task for the user.

You can start the process of installing the code not only using the main program window, but also using the computer desktop.

After you have installed this software on your operating system, the installation function will be displayed in the menu of each folder.


You just need to click on it with the right mouse button, as shown in the figure:


  • The next step is to enter the code in the window that opens. Enter it twice to eliminate the possibility of an error.

  • After installing the code, a sign will be displayed on the folder icon, which indicates that the folder is protected. When you try to open a password-protected folder, such a dialog box will appear. In this way, most often they put a code on folders with photos.

Useful information:

Pay attention to the program. It is designed for quick recovery lost password to the data archive saved in ZIP / WinZIP, ARJ / WinARJ, RAR / WinRAR and ACE / WinACE formats.

Folder Lock Software

This program is able to protect a folder on a laptop or PC. Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

The utility encrypts the folder itself, without an archive.

You can put the code on a folder with absolutely any content: with files, with photos and documents.

To install it to a folder using this program, follow the instructions:

  • After the folder has been added, it instantly becomes locked and only a person who knows the password can open it.

Put a password on a network folder

You can also password-protect the network folder.

Main property network folder- it is available for viewing by all users of the network, so sometimes there are cases when the content can be hidden.

However, is it possible to hide this type of content folder for all users?

It is possible, but there is a threat that users of the same network can easily crack the password.

Password text file

You can password protect a text file separately from the folder. Thus, you can increase its crypto resistance (resistance to hacking).

In order to increase the level of protection, you should also change the encoding of the text file and then, in the event of a hack, an attacker will not be able to read the content without using a number of additional programs that select the correct encoding.

To put a password on a notepad file, follow these steps:


  • Save the document in bat format;

Now, when trying to open a notepad document on a computer, a password will be requested, only after entering the correct password the user will be able to view and edit the contents of the file.

User question

Hello.

Tell me how to password-protect the folder where I have my documents. The folder is on a USB flash drive, but you have to carry it with you and connect it to different PCs and laptops. I would not want anyone to see them or copy them to themselves.

A small addition: the password must be put on the folder, and not on the USB flash drive itself. Those. to view a specific folder - enter the password, and everything else is free and open for viewing. Thank you in advance!

Good day!

The task is quite feasible, below I will give several options for how to put a password on your files (and based on the pros / cons of each method, you can choose the best option for yourself).

One moment!

Some users (especially beginners) set passwords for everything: movies, music, games, etc. As a rule, all these media files that you just downloaded from the network are of little interest to anyone (except you), and it hardly makes sense to protect them (unless you want someone to know that you are interested in them) .

At the same time, we have to observe how connivingly they treat passwords, personal personal data, scans of passports, TIN, etc. First of all, it is these documents that need to be protected!

Per file (document, notepad)

The easiest, fastest and effective method putting a password on your folders and files is to send them to a password-protected (and encrypted) archive. When you need to access files and folders inside the archive, you need to enter a password for access and use them calmly.

From the pros: you can protect any files in this way: Word / Excel documents, pictures, text files(notebooks), scans, etc. There are also archivers on any PC / laptop, which means you can open files on any computer!

There are, however, disadvantages: if you forget the password, then it is very difficult to open such an archive (in some cases it is impossible); not convenient to work with large files(for example, with a video folder).

Below I will consider how to create such an encrypted archive in the popular archivers 7-Zip and WinRAR.

7-Zip

A very popular archiver that allows you to compress files stronger than its competitors: WinRAR, WinZIP, etc. The archiver is free, convenient and minimalist (there is nothing superfluous). In general, it rightfully occupies a leading position ...

After installing it, you will see the menu of the same name in the explorer: 7-Zip. Now, to create an archive, you just need to right-click on the desired file or folder and select from the menu that appears "Add to archive ..." (see screenshot below).

  1. (1) - it is necessary to set name of your archive and the place where it will be saved. In general, the name of the archive can be anything, and later it can be renamed, like a regular file;
  2. (2) - archive format. The best compression is provided by the 7-Zip format, and this is what I recommend choosing;
  3. (3) - SFX archive - self-extracting archive... That is, if you check the box next to this item, an EXE file will be created (like a normal program), by running which, you can extract files without using an archiver (a handy thing in order to extract files on any computer, even on those , where there are no archivers at all);
  4. (4) entering a password - the password can be anything, here the archiver does not set any restrictions. However, remember that passwords like "12345", "God", "Love", etc. associated with your name and date of birth are very easy to crack! Install something more reliable (6-10 characters recommended, with upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters);
  5. (5) choice of encryption method- I recommend leaving the default AES-256, and additionally ticking the "Encrypt file names" checkbox. Thanks to this, your files in the archive not only cannot be opened, but even see what the names of the files are hidden in the archive!
  6. (6) - start archiving.

Create archive // ​​7-Zip

After the archive is created, you can try to open it. For this action, any archiver (not even 7-Zip) will ask you to enter a password for decryption. If you do not know it or have forgotten it, then your files will remain inaccessible!

WinRAR

One of the most famous archivers providing a good compression ratio. Allows you to open and extract files from all the most popular archive formats: ZIP, RAR, ACE, TAR, GZIP, etc.

To create an archive in WinRAR, just right-click on any file / folder, and in the explorer menu that appears, select "WinRAR / Add to Archive" (note: add to archive).

  1. (1) - set the name for the archive (Archive name), can be anything;
  2. (2) - select archive format (RAR recommended);
  3. (3) - select an option "Set Password"(password setting) to encrypt the archive.

Then specify the password itself (line "Enter password", i.e. password entry) and it is highly advisable to check the box "Encrypt file names"(i.e. encrypt filenames).

Then you can start archiving. In general, the password-protected archive is ready - you can use it ...

Password protection for Word / Excel documents, etc.

Documents created in Microsoft Office, can be encrypted regular means, without additional programs. It is very convenient when you often need to work with an encrypted document. By the way, pictures can also be placed in such a document ...

To set a password: open the menu FILE / DETAILS ... Then click on the function "Document protection" and choose what you want: encrypt with password (by the way, in addition to this, the document can, for example, be prohibited for editing, access restricted, etc.) .

Please note that the entered password (if you forget or lose it) is almost impossible to recover! By the way, the office itself is warned about this when it is assigned.

After the document is protected by entering the section "INTELLIGENCE", you will see a key with a padlock icon appear and a note is written that a password is required to open the file. Actually, that's it, the document is protected!

To folder / directory

It is not always convenient to put a password on specific file... For example, you have a catalog with pictures, personal photos that you often work with (edit old ones, upload new ones, etc.), and which you would not want anyone to see without your permission. In this case, it is not convenient to create an archive every time, and you have to resort to other tools. About them below ...

♦
Protected Folder

A very handy utility for protecting and hiding your files and folders from outsiders. To protect a folder with a password - just move it to the window (in the "safe") - and everything in it will be reliably protected by your password.

Advantages:

  1. allows you to protect personal and important information from theft by programs;
  2. there are several levels of protection;
  3. very convenient to use: just drag and drop the folder - and it is protected!
  4. completely in Russian;
  5. compatible with Windows 7/8 / 8.1 / 10 (32/64 bits).

Very simple and at the same time reliable program to protect encryption and password protection of any folders: whether they are on a hard drive, flash drive or any other removable media. Each folder, by the way, can be protected by its own separate password. The program is fully translated into Russian and is supported by all popular versions of Windows.

Advantages:

  1. it is unnecessary to keep it constantly running;
  2. does not install any specials. drivers to the system;
  3. simple, clear interface- even a completely novice PC user can figure it out;
  4. there are hot keys;
  5. the program is compact and does not take up much disk space;
  6. free for home use.

I will show with an example how you can easily encrypt and close your folder from prying eyes. Install and run the program. Then add the folder (you can use the Ins key).

Now, even if you close or delete the program, your folder will remain inaccessible (an attempt to enter it (if you remember its name and address) will end with an error, as in the screenshot below).

By the way, the folder is not visible even if you boot into safe mode... In general, it is hidden securely!

To decrypt the folder and files in it, you need to run the utility again, click on the icon with the open lock and enter the password.

On a USB flash drive

Method number 1

The easiest way to put a password on an entire flash drive (or disk) is to use a feature that already exists in Windows - BitLocker. Allows you to reliably and quickly protect information on a USB flash drive

Note! BitLocker encryption is not available in all Windows versions... If you have Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise, Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10 - most likely you should have it.

To protect the USB flash drive in this way - connect it to the USB port, open "My computer" (or "This computer") and right-click on it, select from the menu that appears. Then follow the instructions of the wizard to set the password.

When the password is set, try to remove the USB flash drive from the USB port, and then reconnect it - you will see that access to it is closed (and its icon has become with a closed lock). Until you enter the password to unlock, the information on the carrier is reliably protected!

Unlock disk / flash drive

Method number 2

A very simple and handy utility for protecting flash drives (works in all versions of Windows). All you need to protect a USB flash drive is to download the utility and copy it to a USB drive (see the screen below).

Action number 1 - copied the program file to the USB flash drive

Then you can set a password.

Action number 2 - launched the utility from the flash drive, formatted it and entered the password

ALL! Now, when you connect a flash drive, it will seem empty (only the file will be visible in it USB programs Safeguard).

To see the files on it, you will need to run this file and enter the correct password. If you do this, then a disk will appear Z, equal in size to your flash drive - it is with it that you need to work (and it is on it that all your files added for encryption will be located) ...

In general, everything is simple, convenient and easy to work!

An analogue of a similar utility: Rohos Mini Drive.

ADDITION

You can also create a virtual encrypted disk (something like an image) to connect and view which, you need to enter the correct password. This technology makes your files as safe as possible from strangers. In addition, absolutely any type of files can be stored on such a disk.

Examples of programs: TrueCrypt, CyberSafe, Rohos Disk, etc.

PS: don't forget passwords! Otherwise, make the files so secure that you won't even be able to view them yourself ...

Manufacturers operating systems are seriously concerned about the security of user data, and Microsoft is one of them. Many large corporations use Windows system which is getting more reliable with newer versions. Despite this, it does not provide a function to set a password for a specific folder or file. Microsoft explains the lack of such a possibility by the presence of an option to activate a password for an individual computer user, but this is not always convenient.

A common situation when in an office an employee has left the computer for a couple of minutes is to make coffee or talk on the phone. At this point, his personal files are not protected unless he is logged out of his profile. Anyone can not only view the files on the computer, but also download them, which is fraught with problems. However, there are several ways that you can put a password on a folder in Windows any versions, while using or not using third-party programs.

We recommend reading:

How to put a password on a folder in Windows without programs?

The method, which will be described below, does not provide for complete protection of the data in the folder from the actions of intruders.


cls @ECHO OFF title Folder Private if EXIST "Compconfig Locker" goto UNLOCK if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER : CONFIRM 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. goto CONFIRM : LOCK ren Private "Compconfig Locker" attrib + h + s "Compconfig Locker" echo Folder locked goto end : UNLOCK echo Enter password to unlock folder set / p "pass =>" if NOT% pass% == PASSWORD_GOES_HERE goto FAIL attrib -h -s "Compconfig Locker" ren "Compconfig Locker" Private echo Folder Unlocked successfully goto end : FAIL echo Invalid password goto end : MDLOCKER md Private echo Private created successfully goto end : End

This code is a script that will allow you to put a password on a folder in Windows without programs.


Statistics show that many people are careless about their passwords, choosing as secret code your date of birth or your name. The OkeyGeek website advises you to be more careful in choosing your password, in particular, adding letters of different case, punctuation marks and numbers to it, which allows you to confuse programs for automatically guessing a password.


Attention: This file will remain visible to users, and through it it will be necessary to enter the personal folder on which the password is set. We recommend that you choose a name for the file that would "deter" intruders. For example, a file can be named “ Win.bat" or " splwow64.bat».


As we said above, this way not perfect, and from experienced users computers that want to access your folder in a similar way set password will not save.

How can I find out the password set on the Windows folder?

If you know which of the files is responsible for hiding / opening the private folder on the computer, then it is quite easy to find out the password that activates the script. No specialized tools or programs are required for this.

The password can be obtained as follows:

It seems that only 2 steps are required to open the folder with a password, and this is indeed the case. But for an ordinary user, a child or a person who practically does not understand anything about the principles of the functioning of a computer, it will be difficult to guess how to open a folder hidden under a password.