We use a lot of software and system settings to safeguard our system from outer threats however if it is a shared system, anybody can peep into our system’s files and folders. If there are confidential files and folders on your desktop or laptop, you would want to secure them with password protection.
Windows operating system has some hidden smart features to safeguard your confidential data and lock files in Windows 10. You just need to follow a few simple steps. If you have a lot of data files, folders to manage and secure, it’s recommended to use the Best Folder Locker Software to manage password protection and remember passwords. Let’s start with the basic protection steps!
Encrypt Content Using Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer has an inbuilt Encryption Tool that can be used to password protect your folders. Very few users are familiar with this intuitive utility as you need to get deep into settings and enable the encryption.
Step 1. Press (Win + E) to open Windows Explorer.
Step 2. Select the folder you wish to protect. Right-click on it and click on the Properties option.
Step 3. On the General Tab, click on the Advanced button under the Attributes section.
Step 4. Put a check on the ‘Encrypt content to secure data’ check box and click on the Ok button.
Step 5. It will be greyed out if you can’t find this option enabled due to hardware limitations or OS built. You can try this Microsoft Support Solution to enable encryption.
Set Folder Permissions
Windows operating system has an inbuilt file compression tool (WinZip) to compress the folder and deny access. You can add extra protection to your folders by Allowing or Denying permissions.
Step 1. Press (Win + E) to open Windows Explorer.
Step 2. Select the folder you wish to protect. Right-click on it and click on the Send to – Compressed Zip Folder option.
Step 3. It will process and create a Compressed Zip folder with a zip logo on it.
Step 4. Right-click on the zip folder and click on the Properties option.
Step 5. Go to the Security tab on the zip folder properties and click on the Edit option to change folder permissions.
Step 6. Under the Group or User Names section, select the user you wish to restrict.
Step 7. Put a check on the Deny (Full Control) under the permissions of the selected user. You will see Modify, Read, or Write access will be denied for the selected user. Click on the Apply and Ok button to set new permissions.
Use File Compression Tool
If you don’t wish to fiddle around with permissions, you don’t have administrator rights, or you don’t know how to lock a folder, you can make use of tools like WinRAR. You can compress files and add passwords to files and folders from Windows Explorer.
Step 1. Press (Win + E) to open Windows Explorer.
Step 2. Select the folder you wish to protect. Right-click on it and click on the Add to Archive option.
Step 3. On the General tab under the Archive Name and Parameters, click on the Set Password button.
Step 4. Enter a password and verify the password again. Click on the Okay button to apply changes.
http://techbii.com/data-protection-tips-for-android/
Password Protect Word Document
You can directly set a password on a word document as you create it. This is a smart trick to password protect your document and lock files in Windows 10 as nobody else can open it except you. Refer to this Microsoft Support page to password protect on macOS or other platforms.
Step 1. Create a word document and edit it as per your needs.
Step 2. Before saving the document, click on the File menu and then go to the Info option in the left-hand side panel. You can also password protect documents that you have already saved.
Step 3. Click on the Protect Document option and select Encrypt with Password.
Step 4. Enter the password you wish to set, re-enter to confirm, and click on the Ok button.
If you ever wish to remove the password, you can come back to the same section and leave the password section blank and click on the okay button. The password will be removed!
Password Protect an Excel Sheet
Password protecting an Excel sheet is equally easy with these small steps. You can password protect a Cell, Row, Column, Sheet, or Workbook. Here is how to password protect a Sheet or a Workbook.
Step 1. Create an Excel Workbook and add some data on Sheet1.
Step 2. Click on the File menu and then go to the Info option in the left-hand side panel.
Step 3. Click on the Protect Workbook and select Encrypt with Password option.
Step 4. Enter the password you wish to set, reenter to confirm, and click on the Ok button and save changes. The next time you will open the Excel workbook, it will ask for the password.
Ensure to remember the password as there is no way you can recover the password or the workbook content if you forget the password.
Use a Folder Locker Software
There are dozens of third-party utilities to lock and protect your sensitive data. You can use folder locker software to lock the folder and its content from being accessed by anybody else who doesn’t have the required access.
If you don’t know which one to trust, you can refer to this guide of the best folder lock software for Windows 10 PC in 2021. We have tested, compared, and reviewed the services and authenticity of these products to add additional security to your data. If you deal with a lot of folders, files, and passwords, this folder locker software will help you manage your files and folders in a much efficient and secure manner. Lock files in Windows 10 and secure them with the best folder locker software!
