Question A good (preferably free) tool to lock/hide file folders?

[joeschmoe2]

Does anyone know of such a thing? Something that when installed, if someone clicked on a file folder, they'd have to enter a password to see it. Or something that would hide it (even if you selected "show hidden folders" in the options).

 

[steveb1976]

this should still work on 24h2 as well.. ive not used it for a while

How to hide folders on Windows 11

1. Open File Explorer using the Windows taskbar, the Start menu, or the Windows key + E shortcut.
2. Right-click the folder you'd like to hide.
3. Click Properties in the menu that pops up. (Image credit: Future)
4. Toward the bottom of the Properties pop-up, click the checkbox next to Hidden.

 

[joeschmoe2]

Thanks, but this is Win 10, not 11, and regardless, that doesn't prevent someone from seeing it if you select "show hidden folders" in the options.

 

[steveb1976]

it would still work, as long as you have " show hidden folders" unchecked in the folers options..
what you wants is a secure "folder"

this might be more what you need

https://www.lifewire.com/lock-folde...t a folder, right,easily share it with others.

 

[joeschmoe2]

Thanks, but the " Encrypt contents to secure data" option mentioned is ghosted out for me. 🙁 Maybe you have to be on Win 10 Professional?

 

[cruisetung]

https://lock-a-folder.en.softonic.com/windows/alternatives/free

Did not try any of them myself.

 

[steveb1976]

you could try checking out https://fspro.net/hide-folders/

it might be the best option

 

[joeschmoe2]

https://lock-a-folder.en.softonic.com/windows/alternatives/free

Did not try any of them myself.

Tried the first one - it was kind of clunky, but better than nothing. Checking the others - thanks!

Edit: tried various others and most didn't even work at all. Oh well

 

[USAFRet]

Does anyone know of such a thing? Something that when installed, if someone clicked on a file folder, they'd have to enter a password to see it. Or something that would hide it (even if you selected "show hidden folders" in the options).

VeraCrypt.
https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html

Create an encrypted volume.
Move your sensitive files/folders into that.
Unless you know the decrypt password, you cannot access.

 

[joeschmoe2]

you could try checking out https://fspro.net/hide-folders/

it might be the best option

Crippled demo and I cannot uninstall. ? There's no uninstall that came with and it's not in Windows (Control Panel). Thx anyway

 

[joeschmoe2]

VeraCrypt.
https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html

Thanks, but it won't allow me to choose anything other than the default volume location, and even when I accepted that, it wouldn't accept my password (the "Next" button is ghosted out).

Appreciate the replies, but looks like I'll settle for the Windows logon password and hope that's secure enough!

 

[USAFRet]

Who and what are you wanting to protect against?