How to Lock a Folder in Windows 10. If you’ve got files you’d rather others couldn’t access, locking them up with a password can be the simplest way to get peace of mind. Windows has built-in support for basic password protection, letting you keep your files safe from prying eyes.
Before we get started, we should offer a warning – while this method is simple and effective, it’s not intended for large-scale or mission-critical use. It goes without saying you should invest in purpose-built encryption software if you’re storing really sensitive information on your device.
How Do I Lock a Specific Folder?
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Right-click the folder you want to lock, and select Properties.
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Press Advanced at the bottom of the General tab.
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Put a check in the box next to Encrypt contents to secure data.
- Select OK, and then OK again on the Properties window to save. Windows will prompt you to back up your file encryption key to avoid permanently losing access to your encrypted files. You can follow those steps (keep reading) or ignore them.
- Select Back up now (recommended) if you followed the notification to back it up.
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Start the Certificate Export Wizard by selecting Next on the first screen.
- Keep the defaults selected, and then press Next again.
- Select the box next to Password to enable the password, and fill out the text fields below. Select Next.
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Choose where to save the PFX file, and give it a name.
- Select Next to review the information you provided and select Finish to complete the export.
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Select OK on the successful export prompt. If you ever need to use this certificate, just open it from wherever you saved it in step 9, and follow the on-screen prompts.
