Windows 10: Password Protect Folders

I am trying to figure out how to password protect some work folders on my laptop that my girlfriend uses sometimes. She likes to snoop around and would rather not have her looking at my work documents.

I tried to follow this guide but it doesn't seem to be working:

How To Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10

:)

 

Password protection for folders

Hi Jim,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand that you would like to set password for MS Edge favorite's folder.

I would like to let you know that you can't use a password to protect files and folders in Windows. However, some programs that run on Windows allow you to protect individual files with a password. For more information, check the Help for the program you're
using.

I suggest that you use a password protected user account which will allow only you to access the files and folders on your computer.

You may also use your favorite search engine to search for any third party software which would accomplish your request.

Disclaimer: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of
Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

Hope this answers your question. Post back if you need further assistance. We'll be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

Password protect folders???

I have some very private photos on my phone (Dash) and have been looking with no luck for a way to password protect a folder containing these photos. I dont need to encrypt them (and don't want to), just password protect them so I can hand my phone to someone
without worry. Has anyone found anything like this? I'll pay for an app that does this, but would prefer something free

 

One alternative you can do with best-safety is password-protect ZIP files using 7-zip; include those ZIPs with your routine backups onto external media. There are a few 3rd party utilities that report to be able to password a folder, I do not know what they are because I have never done that.

 

Password protection does absolutely nothing, you need to encrypt folders/files, if you are serious about it.

Like with VeraCrypt - Home or simply use a document encryption, office suites offer 256-bit AES encryption.

 

I'll try the encrypted zip files. If that's a no go, I'll try the VeraCrypt

Thanks Guys

 

Just note, that encrypting your files is a double edge sword. If you forget your password or mistype it, you will loose access to your files forever. Considering, you are talking about work files, be sure, you will take that into an account.

 

I know the password as it's my work password to login to my Server there, Thankfully that password never expires

 

If she is not technically savvy, you can simply hide them by r-click/Properties/General/Attributes and check 'Hidden' then check show Hidden files in View tab of explorer when you want to see them. Just put the files in a sub folder of a sub folder that you know about but will be hard to navigate to, under normal circumstances.

 

That's not a half bad idea. Thanks

 

Another idea, if it's just a few files is to rename the ext and then back to access it. EG; I have a txt with a bunch of passwords. I name it after my college fight song and then rename the txt extension to mp3. It looks like a music file among hundreds. When I need to use it, I rename the extension back to txt and open with Notepad to view.

 

Even better use BitLocker if you have it and create a virtual drive. When you need your work files you double click an icon, type in your password and all your work folders will appear. Once you've finished you unmount ("lock") your volume and you're done.

You can also backup your virtual drive very quickly by copying and pasting the .VHD(X) file onto a USB drive and that's it. Secure, heavily encrypted and extremely convenient.

Not all versions of Windows come with BitLocker but if yours does it's better than VeraCrypt because it's part of the operating system.
Instructions here.