You in all probability already know how to password protect your computer , lock out other , but if you make out how to password protect folders you’re able to safely let others use yourWindows 11computer without having to worry about your personal files being access . Whether it ’s tender banking information , that batch of mortifying poems you write after your last breakup , or effigy for that gently jittery YouTube duct you intend to make one Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , it ’s all okay . With the following techniques you may shut up your file away from prying eyes .
If you ever want supporter remember parole , consider these selection on our list of thebest password handler .
Windows 11 Pro folder encryption
If you ’re runningWindows 11 Pro ( dissimilar to Windows 11 Home ) , there is a build up - in protection system , though it ’s not the most amply feature . Windows ' stock encryption offers file obfuscation that locks a file to your account . That way , if someone on another account or someone who copied your files away to another PC judge to access your content , they ’d call for to know your write up password ( which comfortably not be one of the most common word .
Anyone using your PC and account would still have access , however .
gradation 1 : Right - cluck on your chosen filing cabinet and selectPropertiesfrom the drop - down menu .
Step 2 : SelectAdvanced .
tone 3 : click the corner next toEncrypt contents to secure dataand selectOK .
footstep 4 : ChooseApply , and when prompted , pluck whether you want all folders within that directory to be encrypted or but the top - level one . When you ’ve decided , selectOK .
depend on the size and contents of the folder , it may take a while to complete . It ’s certainly deserving the wait , though , because you will have gained the high level of security with encrypted datum that is heavy to outside threats and for your eyes only . you’re able to narrate that it ’s worked by the little padlock symbols now on each file within . Your pamphlet and all of its datum are now countersign - protect by your account .
Password protecting Windows folders with 7-Zip
Aside from Windows 10 Pro , older variant of Windows pop the question no protection for your folders . For most Windows substance abuser , adding a password to a folder need a third - party archiving usefulness or some manakin of compression package .
Options admit 7 - Zip , an open - informant postcode concretion utility that ’s readily uncommitted for free courtesy of Russian developer Igor Pavlov . It does a great job of password - protect your more critical datum . The only catch to this tool is that you have to slow down the folder for the safety measure to activate .
Step 1 : Navigate to the7 - Zip download pageand pick out the ripe download for you . Most users should opt for the64 - second x64Windows construct . Once download , put in it as you would any other software package and run it .
Step 2 : Locate the brochure you care to word - protect within the main 7 - zip fastener interface and pick out theGreen addition signin the coating ’s upper - leave corner . or else , drag and cast off the brochure anywhere within the principal 7 - null port .
Step 3 : Ignoring the bulk of presets in the lead pop - up window , selectZipfrom the drop - down menu straight off beside theArchive formatoption to control the leaflet stay compatible with computers without 7 - Zip instal . Then , insert and re - go into your desired watchword for the folder in the text field located on the windowpane ’s good - helping hand side . Select theOKbutton when terminate and allow the public utility company to make a compress , encrypted matching of the folder you wish to password protect .
Step 4 : Once the password - protect zipped file is created , test it to insure that it ’s working aright by trying to get at any of the capacity hold within . Once you get laid it ’s protect , blue-pencil the original folder so it can no longer be located . There ’s no need to have two instances of the same data , specially since the original brochure will remain unprotected .
Adding password protection to folders in macOS
Like most versions of Windows , Apple ’s macOS lacks the native ability to add word protection to folders . Still , what you miss in convenience , you by all odds pull ahead in security — do n’t block anantivirus . tally a vestigial password will require you to create an encrypt magnetic disc effigy through the maneuver system ’s nativeDisk public utility company — an app that comes pre - instal on nearly allMac devices .
Once it ’s make , you ’ll be able to get at the folder as a mount up practical disk , which will let you to edit , add , and delete depicted object after come in a designated password . Any changes you make while the disk is get on will automatically become both encrypted and password - protected upon dragging the disk to the Trash .
Step 1 : SelectDisk Utilityfrom the Applications folder . you could also use Spotlight to search for it . start the app .
Step 2 : After you ’ve start the app , selectFile . Then chooseNew imagefrom the result menu , then selectImage from folder . Now , you could find the single file that want password protective cover . Select it , then chooseOpen .
whole step 3 : Once you ’ve mark and named the folder that need protection , clickRead / Writefrom the dip - down menu underImage data format . You ’ll see another drop - down card underEncryption . Choose128 - bit AES encryption .
Step 4 : Enter and verify your password in the open fields . SelectChoose , thenSave . Disk Utility will inform you when it has finished creating the image with password protection .
footfall 5 : You’ll want to ensure that you ’ve adequately protected your figure of speech . First , seek to spread out the range . You should get an instruction to put in a parole . If you do , infix the password and selectOK .
footprint 6 : You should then put the original pamphlet in your Trash and then empty your Trash booklet to forestall anyone from open it .
More ways to protect folders
Beyond password protecting the brochure on your data processor , try one of the following technique :
