How to Lock Files and Folders by using EFS encryption.ĮFS is a built in encryption tool, that it can protect individual files and folders in NTFS drives, by encrypting them. At 'Add to archive' window, type your password and then click OK. Right click on the file (or folder) that you want to compress and protect with a password and select 7-Zip -> Add to archive.ģ. To Protect (Lock) a file or a folder with a Password with 7-zip:Ģ. Pros: Provides Strong encryption and it's free!Ĭons: The downside of 7-zip locking method, is that you have to always extract the protected archive to access and work with it's contents. The next method to password protect a file or folder is by using the 7-Zip file archiver program, which supports data encryption. How to Lock Folders or Files by using 7-zip.

File -> Info -> Protect Document -> Encrypt with Password.

For example, if you want to set a password on a Word, Excel or a PowerPoint file, go to: How to Lock Word Documents, Excel Workbooks, PowerPoint Presentations, etc.Įvery Microsoft Office application offers the feature to password protect the current opened document. Encrypt Files and Folders by using VeraCrypt. Encrypt a Folder and its files by using Bit Locker. Encrypt Files and Folders by using EFS encryption. Lock and Encrypt a Folder or File with 7-Zip. Lock Office Documents, Workbooks, Presentations, etc. How to Password Protect Files or Folders in Windows.

For damage precaution, frequently backup to a separate device, the locked (encrypted) files in an unlocked (unencrypted) format.

on a external USB drive) and store this device in a safe place.ģ.

If you use EFS or BitLocker encryption, always backup the encrypted files and the recovery keys on a separate device, (e.g. Always, use a strong password when locking your files and note it in a safe place.Ģ. This article contains the most secure FREE methods to password protect a folder or file in Windows OS, in order to make it inaccessible to everyone who does not have the password.Ī few suggestions before locking/encrypting your files:ġ. Some times there is the need to lock a folder or file with a password in order to protect it from an unauthorized access.

How to lock a folder on pc