Close the folder with a password. How to set a password for a folder without additional programs

Often several users (family or employees in the office) have access to one PC at once, so to save personal data and information, you should know how to make a password for a folder. This can be done using standard resources Windows or using additional utilities to generate a secret code.

Is it possible to password-protect a folder on a computer

If you have never encountered the question of how to password-protect a folder on your desktop, then you should understand that this can generally be done in several ways. The computer can store personal correspondence, confidential important information or films from age limit. Because of this, it becomes necessary to set up protection and limit the ability to open some directories. You can even block access to the operating system as a whole - create a password (put a password) when entering windows.

How to put a password on a folder or file

Can be used different ways how to make a folder with a password. Some of them should be used to close files from the prying eyes of children by adding necessary elements in hidden section. From more experienced users this will not save, so you need to use more serious methods, for example, password-protect the archive or download additional applications, which add code combinations to any elements in the computer. All of these methods will be described in the relevant paragraphs below.

Through archiving

The simplest and reliable way how to password-protect a folder on a computer - use any archiver (7-Zip, WinRar). Each of them has a built-in ability to enter secret code while creating archive file. The algorithm of actions is very simple:

1. Right-click on the desired directory ( right click mice).
2. In the menu, find the item "Add to archive ...".
3. On the "General" tab, find the "Set password ..." button.
4. In the window, enter the same code twice (be sure to remember it).
5. To open this packaged file, you will need to enter a password.

With the help of special programs

If you do not want to unpack the archive every time, then you should choose another method, how to securely password-protect a folder on your computer - apply specialized software. This method guarantees maximum level protection. Here are some of the most popular programs in case you need to create a password for a directory:

• password protection. Refers to shareware programs, works with all known modern operating systems. The utility password-protects, hides the necessary directories from users who do not know the code to open. The program has a Russian interface, which simplifies the process of working with it. The algorithm for using the application is as follows:

1. Download and install the utility.
2. Click "Lock folder" and select the desired directory.
3. Enter your password twice. In case you suddenly forget the code, you can leave a hint for yourself. Click Lock.
4. Open necessary files you can do this: open the utility, select the necessary elements, click "Unlock".

• Folder lock. This option, how to password-protect a folder on a computer, unlike the previous one, has only an English-language interface. It is also distributed on a shareware basis, requires installation on HDD. Instructions for use:

1. Download, install, run the application.
2. There will be a field for the password in the window, enter it and click "OK". Repeat it again to confirm and click OK again.
3. The program will display a white field into which you need to drag the elements to password protect.
4. To unlock, run the utility again, enter the code, select the required items and click "Unlock".

How to set a password for a folder without archiving and programs

The easiest way to hide a directory is to make it hidden. This feature is available in all Windows, starting with version 7. To do this, right-click on the element (with the mouse, its right key), click on "Properties". At the bottom of the General tab there will be an Attributes block. Check the box next to "Hidden", click "Apply". From now on, you can see such a file if you set the display in the properties of the explorer on the "View" tab. hidden files.

For another option, you must have multiple users created for operating system. For example, your child will have their own account, and yours will have a password. To restrict access to certain directories from his account, follow these steps:

1. Right click on desired element, go to the "Properties" item on the "Security" tab, in the "Groups and Users" block, make changes.
2. Add those for whom access will be restricted in the "Select" window. Check that the account names are written without errors.
3. In the "Permissions for the group" section, you can set the rights to the directory, for example, you can only view it, but you cannot delete or save anything.

Video tutorial: how to password protect a folder

For a computer that can be accessed by more than one person, the data stored on the hard drive may need to be protected. An office machine with personal developments or a home PC, on the hard drive of which secret information- not essential.

There are two ways to solve the problem - either, or protect separate folder. Then neither curious family members nor equally inquisitive colleagues will be able to view the contents of the "secret" folder without permission. How to set a password for a folder, read further in the text of our article.

Option 1: Windows protection

For OS PC Windows versions XP and older provide an extremely simple method for putting a password on a folder on your computer. It does not require any additional app downloads or software installations.

For its implementation, several conditions must be met:

1. The folder (file) must be stored in the partition with the file NTFS system. To display file system you need to go to START - My Computer - Desired Disk(in the screenshot this is drive C).

2. The user must create a separate account with a password in advance.

In order to put a folder under a password, you need to hover over desired folder(folder "Password" in the example) and right-click on the icon. In the window that appears, in the "Properties" check the box in the item "Cancel general access to the folder. After clicking "Apply" and confirming the password, the folder is closed to outsiders.

This was the first method of many - the easiest and most fast option protect folders with valuable information.

Option 2: Using Third Party Utilities

Third-party programs for setting a password on folders - great way data protection. Among the numerous programs it is worth noting such as:

• Anvide Lock Folder is a serial compact program, for the use of which there is no need to install an application on a computer. The program file can be stored on removable media(flash memory, external drive);
• Password Protect USB - performs the same functions. Designed to preserve the confidentiality of data in folders stored both on the hard drive and on USB-drives;
• file lock- The utility is easy to use. Allows you to protect folders with a password, saves the passwords used for each of the folders. With the help of the program, you can complete removal files or folders (recovering deleted data will not work - the utility cleans up the area on the disk previously occupied by the folder).

The operating principle of such useful utilities can be considered on the example of one of the most popular programs - Password Protect USB. You can download it both in the trial version and in " in full» on some software portals.

The first use of the utility requires its launch:

• in the window, select the Lock Folders item;
• enter the path to the desired folder;
• Set password.

After making sure that the program works correctly, without errors, you can do it more concisely:

• right-click on the icon of the desired folder;
• select in the dialog box "Lock with Password Protect ...";

• enter the password twice in the corresponding lines to set the password and confirm it;
• You can use a password hint by checking the "Password Hint" checkbox.

The appearance of the folder will now change - about set password will say "brick" on the icon. Unauthorized attempts to open a folder password-protected in this way will be met with a prompt to enter a secret code:

To unlock, just right-click on the folder and select the desired line in the window. After entering the password, the folder will be open again for all PC users.

Option 3. Using archivers

Strictly speaking now will be discussed not really about setting a password on a folder. This method password protects not the folder itself, but its archived version. Wherein this option is distinguished by a certain elegance - after all, archivers are usually used only for their intended purpose. So creating a password-protected version of a folder can be thought of as interesting way data protection.

First of all, you will need the archiving program itself. Download and install on PC WinRAR program, the user gets the opportunity to securely hide important data behind a password. In addition, a document archive takes up much less usable space on a hard drive or flash drive.

How to use the folder protection utility? Right-clicking on the folder icon will open a window in which you need to select the "Add to archive" line.

In the archiver window that opens, select the "Set password" item:

It remains only to ask desired password and remember it - recovering passwords for archives is quite difficult.

Now you need to remove source folder. The saved archive will be securely protected - each time you try to extract information, you will be asked to enter a password.

This is one of the most popular questions"how to password protect a folder". After all, anonymity is simply necessary and it does not matter for what and for whom. There are times when children use your computer, and work is stored in a certain folder. This work must be preserved, and indeed, each person has his own case and we will not say to whom and why.

How to put a password on a folder

Via standard set windows, this cannot be done, so we need to download the FlashCrypt program - http://fspro.net/flash-crypt/. After you downloaded and installed it, when you right-click on any folder, new option“Protect with FlashCrypt…”

As you already understood, this is the function that is needed to password-protect a folder. Select the desired object and open this menu.

Enter and confirm a password, then click Protect. Those. save the result and no one will open this folder except you.

Actually it is very convenient solution, and I do not understand why it was not made from the box in the operating system. It allows not only to hide the personal, but also to protect from stupid users who, without knowing it, can ruin the work, for example ...

Now, when someone else tries to open the folder, you will need to enter the password that you specified and no other will do.

If for some reason you do not understand, I suggest considering other options to put a password on the folder.

Alternative Methods

Password-protect using the archiver:

The easiest and most reliable way to password-protect a folder on your computer is to use any archiver (7-Zip, WinRar). Each of them has a built-in ability to enter a secret code when creating an archive file. The algorithm of actions is very simple:

1. On the desired directory, right-click (right-click).
2. In the menu, find the item "Add to archive ...".
3. On the "General" tab, find the "Set password ..." button.
4. In the window, enter the same code twice (be sure to remember it).
5. To open this packaged file, you will need to enter a password.

Password-protect with using Password protect:

password protection. Refers to shareware programs, works with all known modern operating systems. The utility password-protects, hides the necessary directories from users who do not know the code to open. The program has a Russian interface, which simplifies the process of working with it. The algorithm for using the application is as follows:

1. Download and install the utility.
2. Click "Lock folder" and select the desired directory.
3. Enter your password twice. In case you suddenly forget the code, you can leave a hint for yourself. Click Lock.
4. You can open the necessary files like this: open the utility, select the necessary elements, click "Unlock".

Password for a folder without archiving and programs:

The easiest way to hide a directory is to make it hidden. This feature is available in all Windows, starting with version 7. To do this, right-click on the element (with the mouse, its right key), click on the "Properties" item. At the bottom of the General tab there will be an Attributes block. Check the box next to "Hidden", click "Apply". From now on, you can see such a file if you set the display of hidden files in the Explorer properties on the View tab.

For another option, you must have multiple users created for the operating system. For example, your child will have their own account, and yours will have a password. To restrict access to certain directories from his account, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desired element, go to the "Properties" item on the "Security" tab, in the "Groups and Users" block, make changes.
2. Add those for whom access will be restricted in the "Select" window. Check that the account names are written without errors.
3. In the "Permissions for the group" section, you can set the rights to the directory, for example, you can only view it, but you cannot delete or save anything.

How to password-protect a folder - video

And in order for this article to be useful for sure, I suggest watching another video:

Setting a password for a folder is a fairly common way to restrict access to information. If for some reason you cannot use the division into users of your personal computer then this article will help you. operating room core Windows systems does not provide for setting a password for a specific folder, therefore, in order to protect information, you should use a third-party software. Consider the nuances of working with the following software packages:

1. winrar.
2. AnvideSealFolder.
3. folder lock.

The specified software product is distributed for a fee. To set a ban on access to a directory, it should be added to .

Step 1. After launching the main software interface, you should specify the folder selected for setting access restrictions and use the "Add files to archive" command (the command is activated by clicking on the mouse, or using the "Alt + A" key combination).

Step 2 In the wizard that opens, switch to the "Advanced" subsection and use the "Set password" button.

Step 3 In the "Archive with password" dialog box, you must specify the key and confirm it.

To avoid typing errors, there is an option to display the password. The classic requirement for password security is compliance with the following principles:

1. The length is at least seven characters.
2. Using characters in the key body different categories(uppercase and lower case, digit, non-alphabetic characters).

Step 4 An archive will be created in the directory you specified in step 1, with installed key security.

Important! Remember, the security key will not allow you to view, modify, add files to the archive, however, it will leave the possibility of making a copy of it or uninstalling the archive as a whole.

Setting a password usingAnvideSealFolder

The software product has a freely distributed license.

Step 1. After the installation is complete, launch the interface software product.

Step 2 For more advanced protection, a two-level access restriction system is provided:

1. Restricting access to the program.
2. Restricting access to folders.

To set a security key for the software product itself, use the icon in the upper left corner of the main window.

Step 3 To restrict access to a specific directory, use the icon in the form of a "+" sign, or by pressing the "insert" key.

Step 4 After specifying the path and selecting the desired folder, you need to confirm its addition to the block list.

Step 5 After carrying out the above procedures, the corresponding entry appears in the folder list. To restrict access to it, use the icon in the form closed lock, or press "F5" and enter the key.

Step 6 After confirming the access restriction, the program will prompt you to enter a hint to the key, or skip this item.

The list may contain a large number of directories at the same time, while each folder can be closed with a personal key or a shared one.

Important! Remember, the protected directory becomes undiscoverable at its location (discovery is not possible even using specialized programs and software shells). Do not forget to unlock the folder during the reinstallation of Windows, otherwise there is a risk of losing data. You can allow access by using the corresponding menu icon, or by pressing the key F9.

Setting a password with FolderLock

The software product is covered by a paid license, but has test mode to set twenty passwords.

Step 1. On first start software package, you will be prompted to add a master key and confirm its installation.

Important! When lost given password You will not be able to uninstall the program from your personal computer.

Step 2 FolderLock re-requests the previously specified password, after which it gives access to the main software interface. A folder is added to the list of locks by dragging it into the program window, or by pressing the "AddItemstoLock" button.

On a note! You can password-protect not only a directory, but also a logical volume and a separate file.

Step 3 To select a directory, use the "AddFolder" option, specify its location in the wizard that opens and confirm the selection using the "OK" button.

Important! Just like using the AnvideSealFolder program, you can restrict access to several resources at the same time, but all of them will be closed with the same master key entered in step 1. To unseal a specific directory, use the menu «lockFolders", paragraph "UnlockItems. As a result of using this button, the selected folder drops out of the blocked list and appears in its original directory. By analogy with AnvideSealFolder, remove all restrictions during reinstallationWindows to avoid losing information of locked folders.

Video - How to set a password for a folder

Conclusion

We have described the nuances of restricting access to a folder using three different software products, one of which is free. Remember, there is no "too much" security, so we recommend that you combine information security methods. For example, you can archive a folder with a password and then close the archive additional password using a different program. The evaluation of each software product is reflected in the summary table.

When you are trying to protect personal data, you probably set a password to boot the system or create account with the appropriate access rights. Sometimes you just need to secure some piece of information. Therefore, users are beginning to look for materials about.

You can, of course, just hide the folder, but from the security point of view, this will not help you in any way. One has only to see it when you go to the directory where it is located. So this way is not safe.

Unfortunately, Windows 7 does not provide the ability to put a password on a folder, but there are other ways using third-party software. Again, this will not protect your folders from being deleted, for example, so there is no 100% guarantee.

Now let's look at the following methods for setting a password:

1. Programs archivers;
2. Special utilities;
3. Using a tricky bat script.

How to put a password on a folder using an archiver

The main purpose of archivers is to pack one or more elements into one file with the possibility of compression. We will use these tools to set a password for folders in Windows 7. These programs include:

1. WinRAR
2. winzip
3. 7-Zip
4. Hamster Free ZIP Archiver
5. A lot others.

Let's consider this possibility on the example of WinRAR and Hamster Free ZIP Archiver, as others operate on the same principle.

In order to password-protect the folder with the WinRAR utility, do the following algorithm:

1. Install WinRAR.

2. Right click on the folder and in context menu select "add to archive".

3. You will see the window "archive name and parameters". On the "general" tab, you must specify the name of the archive, select its format and the "normal" compression method. In general, you can not change anything here, I do not advise you to change the compression method, since our goal is just to password-protect the folder, and not waste precious time.

5. In the "enter password" window, check the box "display password as you type" so that you can see what you are entering and only once. If you do not want to see the contents of the archive, check the "encrypt file names" box. Set a password and click OK.

6. After the done actions, the window will have the name "archiving with a password", in which you must click the OK button. An archive will be created, upon clicking on which you will need to enter a password.

In the event that it is beaten wrong password, You will see an error message and will not be able to access the files.

In order to password-protect a folder in Windows 7 with Hamster Free ZIP Archiver, do the following:

1. Install Hamster Free ZIP Archiver.

2. Right-click on the folder and select "add to archive".

3. You will see the utility interface, where our folder will be displayed. Click on the "password" check the box "show password" and enter the intended combination.

4. Click the "archive" button and select "save to computer". Then specify the location to save the password-protected archive.

If you enter the wrong phrase, the program will warn you about it, so try again.

Special programs for setting a password

Such utilities use encryption of elements, with the help of them we will try to password-protect a folder in Windows 7. Even if these programs are removed, the files remain inaccessible. By putting passwords on the entrance of the applications themselves, you will raise the level of folder security. Consider an example: Flash Crypt and Anvide Lock Folder.

With Flash Crypt use the steps:

1. Install FlashCrypt.

2. Select the desired folder and right click, in the menu, click on "protectwithflashcrypt".

3. You will see a window where you need to enter a password twice at least 4 characters. Leave the rest unchanged and click "protect".

4. Wait for the folder to be encrypted, after which the Flash Crypt icon will appear on it. Click the left button and see how the password request window pops up. If entered correctly, the folder will be decrypted and will be available in its original form.

Anvide Lock Folder is portable and does not require installation. There is a possibility password-protect the entrance to the program. Do the following manipulations:

1. Run ALF.exe.

3. Click on the plus sign and select the folder you want to password-protect, and press the F5 key. Set a password and select the "Close access" button. You can also add hints if needed.

4. After that, the folder will hide from view and will be available only from the program.

5. In the program, click the F9 key, enter given password and click "share". After that, the folder will again become available in Windows Explorer 7.

How to password-protect a folder using a bat script

This method, unlike the previous ones, is the most insecure, as it uses the usual hiding of folders in Windows 7. A user who knows how to enable showing hidden items will see this folder without any problems, so make sure this option is not enabled before using the script.

First, create a .txt document and copy the following code snippet into it:

cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Folder
if EXIST "Secretno" goto DOSTUP
if NOT EXIST Folder goto RASBLOK
ren Papka "Secret"
attrib +h +s "Secret"
echo Folder locked
goto end
:DOSTUP
echo Vvedite password, chtoby razblokirovat papku
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%== moi-parol goto PAROL
attrib -h -s "Secret"
ren "Secretno" Papka
echo Papka uspeshno razblokirovana
goto end
:PAROL
echo Nevernyj password
goto end
:RASBLOK
md folder
echo folder
goto end
:End

Then save it and . This is done through txt to bat. On this batch file is ready for use. The essence of this script is as follows:

1. The first time you click on it, a folder named "Papka" is created into which you copy the secret content.
2. On the second click, the "Secretno" folder is created, which is assigned the hidden attribute and disappears.
3. On the next clicks, you are asked to enter a password. In case of incorrect input, the script is closed, so run it again.
4. After entering the correct data, the folder will be visible and have a name, as in the first step.

If you want to change the password, then instead of MOI-PAROL, type your own in Latin characters.

On this we dismantled how to password protect a folder in windows 7. Using archivers and special programs, perhaps the most safe options, but no one is immune from deleting a file or forgetting a password. effective when you focus on inexperienced users PC. In addition, who bothers to open a batch file in a notepad and burn all the data.