You may need to keep some papers confidential if you share a computer with others. Depending on whatever version of Microsoft® Windows® your machine is running, there are numerous options. If you’re not sure which version of Windows your machine uses, click here for additional information.
Each user who uses a single computer should have their own account. This makes it easier for everyone to get their hands on the applications and data they want.
How to password protect a folder
When a folder is password-protected, you must provide a password to view the list of documents in the folder. Individual files can also be password-protected, either in a password-protected folder or in a folder that is not password-protected. For files and directories, the method is the same.
Windows 7
Navigate to the folder you want to password-protect in Windows Explorer. Select the folder with a right-click.
From the menu, choose Properties. On the resulting dialog, select the General tab.
To safeguard data, go to the Advanced tab and select Encrypt content. Click the OK button. The username and password you used on Windows will be utilized.
To make sure you can access the folder, double-click it.
How to put a password on a folder
Windows 8 and Windows 10
In Windows 8 and Windows 10, you can’t use Windows to password-protect a folder. You’ll need to use a zipped folder or use third-party software. If you do decide to utilize third-party software, be sure you get it from a trustworthy source.
Zipped folder
If your version of Windows does not allow password protection, password-protecting a compressed file is a viable option. You can apply a password to the files you want to secure by putting them in a zip file.
Select and right-click the files you want to put into a zipped file in Windows Explorer.
Select Send to, then Zip Folder from the drop-down menu (compressed). To name and save the folder, follow the prompts.
Select File and Add Password after double-clicking the zipped file.
After you’ve filled out the required information, click Apply.
How to hide a folder
Unless the Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives setting is unchecked, when you conceal a folder or file in Windows, the folder or file does not appear in the directory list.
Windows 7, 8, and 10
Right-click the file or folder you wish to conceal and select “Hide.” Choose Properties.
Check Hidden in the Attributes section of the General tab.
Apply the changes.
You’ll need to enable other settings if the file or folder stays visible in the directory.
Click the File tab in Windows Explorer.
Select View from the View menu after selecting Options.
Under the heading Hidden files and folders, select Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives.
Repeat the steps above, but instead of Show hidden files, folders, and drives, click Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
Conclusion
Although Microsoft has removed the option to password-protect a folder, you can still keep your sensitive data secret by utilizing a password-protected zipped folder or concealing files and folders from the directory list.
