Same deal here as with WinRar, you’ll need to know if your machine is 32 or 64-bit to download the correct version. You’ll start by downloading and installing the tool, which will add a link for encryption in the Context Menu. A plus to using 7-Zip is that files are encrypted using AES -256 bit encryption, the most secure method.īut while 7-Zip is extremely secure, it won’t take a computer genius to navigate it. However, 7-Zip also offers the ability to encrypt and decrypt files.
Related: Secure your emails by changing a few important settingsĪnother solid option is 7-Zip, a tool that’s typically used for zipping and unzipping files. You’ll need to either delete or pull the original file onto a USB or cloud-based storage service to get it off of your desktop. Once you click OK, your new file will be encrypted.
The program will ask you to enter the password twice. You’ll need to select that option and enter the password you’ve chosen for your files. Select it.įrom there, a pop-up window will appear with an option to Encrypt file names. Another menu will open during this process with an option for Set password. It will contain the same contents as the original. Doing so will create a new - but smaller - copy of the file or folder.
You’ll see an option for Add to Archive - select it. To encrypt files, you just need to right-click the folder or file. Once you’ve identified files you want to encrypt and WinRar is installed, you can get started with the process. Before you start, though, you may want to take note of the files or folders you want to encrypt so you aren’t digging around for them. Using the WinRar tool to encrypt files is easy. The specific information you need is listed under System type. All you have to do is click on the Windows icon on your home screen and search for System. And if you like, you can try to compress the folder and password protect the compressed file by WinRAR.If you don’t know that information off-hand, there’s a simple way to check.
More: EFS is built in all Windows 10 versions except Windows 10 home like the feature BitLocker Drive Encryption. And the folder is locked and protected by the EFS. Step-5: Click " Finish" to complete the certificate export wizard. Step-4: Click the " Browse" button to select a path to save the backup file and specify the name of the file you want to export. Then after that, they will be allowed to get permission to open the password-protected folder. Note: Other users who want to open this protected folder will need to enter the password set for the key certificate and then import the key certificate to their own accounts. Check the password checkbox and set your password. Step-3: Set a password to protect the private key of the password-protected folder. Step-1: Select " Back up now (recommended)". Normally, as long as you log in to Windows 10 with your own account, the encrypted folder will be automatically unlocked. You can back up the encryption certificate and the key of the password-protected folder.
If it's your first time to enable this feature to password protect the folder without other software in Windows 10, a message of Encrypting File System notification will pop up. Part 2: Steps to set a password to protect folder in Windows 10 Then select one change mode ( Apply changes to this folder only or Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files) to protect folder or all subfolders and files as well. Click the " Apply" button of the Properties panel. Check the " Encrypt contents to secure data" data checkbox. Right-click the folder you want to protect and click " Properties".Ģ. Part 1: Enable password protection of the folder in Windows 10ġ. You can follow these steps to set one password to lock your folder up.
Without 3rd-party software, we can definitely password protect one single folder with EFS of Windows 10 and the way is different from how to encrypt disk drives. Content: Part 1: Change encrypt attributes of the folder to enable password protection Part 2: Export the certificate and key of the protected folder and set a password Steps to Password Protect Folder in Windows 10 without Softwareįor more securer, protecting a folder with a password in Windows 10 can ensure the files pried by others. Let's look at how to password protect a folder on Windows 10 desktop without software. Only the current user can access the folder, while other unauthorized Windows 10 local users (without the certificate and key) can't. You can password protect the folder with Windows 10 built-in feature" Encrypting File System (EFS)" on your desktop/laptop.
How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10 without Software