How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10?

We put passwords everywhere we can. Then why not on the folders on our PC? Let me tell you, Microsoft Windows hasn’t made the job any easier for people wanting to protect their data by Password Protecting individual folders on their PC.

Microsoft though provides a couple of methods to password protect folders on Windows 10, but they rarely worked for me. Then? How to lock Folders? Don’t worry, we have got a couple of extra easy-to-use methods in addition to using Windows’ built-in tools. So, let’s not waste anymore of your precious time and get straight to the methods through which you can password protect a folder in Windows 10.

Methods to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10 for Free

Method 1: Using Windows’ Tools (Free)

When I earlier said that this method has never worked for me, I wasn’t lying. It hasn’t worked for many like me and they have never gotten any reply from Microsoft for it. But for the people it works, it is the Easiest of All methods. You just have to make a couple of clicks to lock the folder and Encrypt the Data in Folder. To Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10 using this method, follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Go to File Explorer and Right-Click on the folder that you want to protect.

Step2: Go to Properties.

Step 3: Go to Advanced.

Step4: Click Encrypt Content to Secure Data to encrypt and password protect the data in the folder.

However, the problem arises when you find this option to Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed out. Like what happened with me. And trust me, I tried all the methods that I could find on the Internet to fix this, but nothing worked. So, if you too are one of those unlucky people, let’s move on to the next method and learn How to Lock Folder in Windows 10.

Method 2: Using Folder Locker application. (Paid)

There are plenty of Folder Locker applications available in the market for Windows 10. We suggest using IObit Protected Folder software for Windows. It can help you protect folders like a Pro. To use IObit Protected Folder to password protect a folder in Windows 10, follow the steps given below:

Step 1:  To use IObit Protected Folder, you will have to first Download and Install the software from the official website.

Click Here to Download Iobit Protected Folder

Step2: As soon as you open the application, it will ask you to set a master password that will be used to unlock all the protected folders.

Step 3: Now all you have to do is drag and drop folder into the app to password protect them. Yes, it is that easy.

So, this was the second method on how you can password Protect a folder in Windows 10. However, after a few trials, you will have to pay for the software to keep using the application. So, yes that’s a downside.

Method 3: Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10 using .BAT File (Free)

Let me tell you, this method is a chance for all the people with Non-Science background to feel like a Tech-Guy. Don’t worry you will just be copying the steps that I mention below. So, let’s get going:

Step 1: Open the folder you want to lock.

Step2: Right-Click in the empty space and choose New > Text Document.

Step 3: Copy the text given below and paste into the text document:

cls @ECHO OFF title Folder Locker if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK if NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER :CONFIRM echo Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/N) set/p "cho=>" if %cho%==Y goto LOCK if %cho%==y goto LOCK if %cho%==n goto END if %cho%==N goto END echo Invalid choice. goto CONFIRM :LOCK ren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" echo Folder locked goto End :UNLOCK echo Enter password to Unlock folder set/p "pass=>" if NOT %pass%==Your-Password-Here goto FAIL attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker echo Folder Unlocked successfully goto End :FAIL echo Invalid password goto end :MDLOCKER md Locker echo Locker created successfully goto End :End

Step4: In the Document, replace the highlighted “YOUR PASSWORD HERE” with your desired password for the folder.

Step 5: Once done, go to File, and click on Save As and set

File Name: FolderLocker.bat

Save as Type: All Files

And hit Save.

Step6: Double Click on the FolderLocker file in the folder. It will create a new folder named Locker. Copy all the data that you want to protect in the Locker Folder.

Step 7: Double click on FolderLocker once again, it will open Command Prompt.

Step8: It will ask you Are you sure you want to Lock the Folder. Press Y and hit enter to Lock the folder.

Voila, you have successfully created a secure folder out of the blue. This process seems to be lengthy but isn’t. If you have to unlock the folder, double click on FolderLocker, and put your Password and hit Enter.

So, these are all the three methods that you can use to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10. Hope you found the information helpful and you got the answer to your question – How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10? If you have any queries, do let us know in the comment section below. Keep Visiting Tweak Library for more such tech-related content.

Recommended Readings:

Password Protect A Word Document or Excel Sheet

Identity Theft A Serious Problem: Protect Yourself From It

Preventive Measures To Protect Your Computer From Malware?

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