Everyone owns sensitive data, the content of which is not necessarily intended for the general public. Therefore, if in doubt, simply password protect the affected Windows 10 folder. On the one hand weak cyberattacks to the company, which, for example, is based on unwanted third party programs go back to. On the other hand, you might want to encrypt important folders if nosy relatives generally have access to your device.
However, it is anything but trivial to encrypt folders without a program under Windows 10 a folder with password protection. In the folder properties you will find neither under Release still under Security a corresponding option. There is only the hint that users in general must have the password for your PC to get access to the data. Even the Pro version of Windows 10 does not promise any remedy in this respect.
Nevertheless, there are of course certain ways to password protect folders and encrypt all files in the folder even in Windows 10. In this post, we’ll introduce you to two of the best alternatives below.
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How to password protect a folder?
- Encrypt Windows 10 folders using 7-Zip
- Windows 10 protect folder with password via BitLocker
First, let’s address the packing program. Strictly speaking, this does not lock the folder itself, but only its contents:
Using 7-Zip to encrypt Windows 10 folders
7-Zip is a free Open source software and is one of the most popular packing programs for the Data compression. You can find the download directly on the Manufacturer’s site. If you often download large amounts of data from the Internet, you probably already have the application installed anyway. Or you can use an alternative like WinRAR, which can also encrypt Windows 10 folders.
To quickly password protect a folder, follow the steps below for 7-Zip:
- After Right click on the folder should be after correct installation 7-Zip appear as a selection. Click on it.
- Afterwards you select Add to an archive from. A window opens with many different setting options.
- You are only interested in the rider encryption on the right side. There you enter the first text field the desired password and confirm it in the second text field below.
- With a click on OK you complete the process.
This works basically from Windows 7 or higher. After packing you should still delete the original files. If someone then wants to extract the contents of the folder, this only succeeds under Specifying the right password.
If this seems too cumbersome in the long run, you can also protect your folders with a one-time extra effort thanks to BitLocker:
Windows 10 password protect folders via BitLocker
Microsoft represents on all its popular operating systems the philosophy that a user account should be used only by one person. Password protection for individual folders would be superfluous in this case, since no foreign access is possible. If your spouse wants to access your PC, you create a new password for him/her new user to. So if your access remains secret, logically you don’t need to encrypt folders.
With the Windows 10 already preinstalled BitLocker encryption you can still password protect drives and their folders:
- At Windows Explorer (Windows logo key + E) under This PC right-click on the drive you want to encrypt and select the item Activate BitLocker select. BitLocker starts in a new window.
- As Method to unlock the drive you decide for a Password, you type in and confirm right away. Continue leads you to the final step.
- But before that the wizard should give you want to create a recovery key offer. You are strongly advised to do this, because this key will save you in case you ever lose your Password forgotten should.
- Now you have to specify whether you want to protect your Encrypt entire drive and whether the new encryption mode sufficient. You only need to use the compatible mode if you do not work exclusively with Windows 10.
- The so-called BitLocker system check is a test run that reveals possible problems.
- After Restart you can password-protect your drive and all folders on it.
BitLocker only for Windows 10 Pro
In the future after each start of the computer to release the protected network by entering the password. This Protection always renews itself when you shut down your machine again. Advanced users can also first create another Create partition (respectively reduce an existing one) and then secure it with a password.
Now you know how to password protect a Windows 10 folder. But never use a Access code, which appears elsewhere (for example on your Microsoft account) to encrypt a folder. Or at least change your Windows account in advance from. If you have basic problems with your internal or external drives, a look at our more advanced Tutorials worthwhile. We will show you in detail how to proceed in case your second hard disk spins.