Out of the Windows productivity tools, password protect folder software is one of the best security tools. It is one of the essential tools for the person who has minimum privacy. Without a valid password, the password protects folder does not allow anyone to open your locked folder. In Windows operating system, there is no built-in mechanism to lock your folder.
On the other hand, Mac, Linux, and even Dropbox folders also need to protect the folder over a password. In this article, I will provide the best 20 password security software and describe how to protect the folder by a password.
How to Protect a Folder by Password?
In your computer, laptop, iPhone, Android, iPad, and any other modern Gadgets, many personal files and confidential documents exist. To protect them from unauthorized access, you have to protect a folder with a password. But since the device and operating systems are different, so you have to use various applications for each of the operating systems and devices.
Today we will discuss some methods to password protect a folder for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone. We will also provide a comprehensive list of third-party applications. Moreover, each operating system has a default option to lock any folder.
With the help of password protect folder software, you can lock the entire folder or any individual file. Unless your password uses, nobody will be able to open it.
How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows 10?
If you think that Windows 10 does not have any password protect folder option, you are not wrong. On the other hand, we already heard Encrypt Files Windows 10. you never think that the data and files on Windows 10 are not secure. If you use BitLocker to improve your PC, you can stop unauthorized access with a password and encryption.
Password Protect Folder Without Software
You can lock any folder in Windows 10 without software. With only five steps, you can lock any folder on your computer.
Step1: Open a notepad file.
Step 2: Copy the code from the given source.
Step 3: find out “your password” and provide your password inside the quotation.
Step 4: Save the notepad file in .bat format to the desired folder, which you have to lock.
Step 5: double click the.bat file and a command prompt will appear. To confirm your folder lock, type “y” and press enter. And your folder will be locked automatically, and nobody will be allowed to see the folder.
If you want to unlock your folder, double click on the .bat file and provide your password.
How to Lock a Folder on the iPhone?
When you swipe down the primary setting, you will Discover the app lockers menu. From the setting page, you can lock your iPhone folder. Tap to lock any folder. You can also use a parental control app to lock your iPhone.
On your mobile phone, there may be confidential data or any financial information. Your hater or your girlfriend can easily unlock your mobile phone and still all of your data. To get rid of this problem, you can use the iPhone app lock to protect your files and folder. You can also use Touch ID. The same thing can be done with jungle-mode settings. If you use any file manager app, then you can lock your iPhone with an enabling password.
Password Protect Folder Android
Nowadays, more and more people are using Android mobile phones. Because of the uses, the security concern has a great issue. You can lock your Android phone to protect your files. Moreover, the best password manager for Android can be your best solution to solve this problem.
Password Protect Folder Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the best cloud storage to store your photos and files. You cannot get a password to protect a folder in dropbox by third-party application software. To get password-protected Dropbox, you can use the Dropbox desktop version and lock it with an earlier (without software) method.
You can follow the easy five steps to get a Dropbox password-enabled folder.
Step 1: log in to Dropbox, select the file/folder that you want to share.
Step 2: find the “share” option.
Step 3: In the “Link Shearing,” select “only people with a password.”
Step 4: You can set the expiration date of the password.
Step 5: “Save” your setting.
Now you can copy and paste the link and share it with anyone of this Dropbox password-protected folder.
Mac OS Password Protect the Folder
Like Microsoft Windows 10, it is simple to make a password protect a folder on Mac OS. From the “Disk Utility,” you can create a file or folder lock. There are five steps to create Mac password-protected folder, which are:
Step 1: open disk utility/applications/utilities/disk utility app.
Step 2: from the menu bar/ file/new image/new image from folder
Step 3: Select the folder you want to protect on the popup file browser window.
Step 4: from the encryption menu, you can choose ‘128 bit’ AES encryption or 256-bit AES encryption. The second option is mainly used for better security. You can choose the recommended ones.
Step 5: When prompted, then enter a password to create a Mac OS password to protect the folder.
20 Password Protect Folder Software
Password protect folder means some privacy mechanism to lock the desired folder from the desktop or any drive of your computer. It ensures the safety and security of your valuable data. Data is the most valuable asset of any organization.
If your valuable data goes to your unwanted spy, then you may become the victim of blackmail. As a result, you will fill the requirement of the folder lock. To do so, I will show 20 folder lock software and separately some tips for Windows, Linux, Mac, and Dropbox.
1. Lock & Hide Folder
Lock and Hide Folder offers a fast and refreshing way to shield sensitive information. It protects your computer from employers, children, and anyone else who might entrance to use your PC. Even it protect you from law enforcement and lousy motive people.
This Lock & Hide Folder software will hide your sensitive files so that others fail to see them. If they search your recent documents menu, they will be unable to find your concealed data. To maintain extra security, please use a password to prevent anyone from accessing your files. You can operate this software in stealth mode. You can hide or show your sensitive files folders using hotkeys.
Features
- You can add as many folders to hide.
- Show and hide separate folders or many folders at once.
- You can stop all file access from the command prompt.
- File Folders are removed from Windows Explorer.
- Files folders will be unable to access from shortcuts or recent document lists.
- Folders cannot steal from booting in Safe Mode, re-installing Windows, or booting from a new computer.
- The deletion of the program does not expose to hidden folders.
- Operate in Stealth Mode hidden from any person; no one will suspect that you have hidden folders.
- Eliminate program from Control Panel ” change a program or Uninstall.”
- Using 256-bit Blowfish Encryption folders are hidden and password protected.
- Operates at Windows startup.
- Password protection when hotkeys are used to show and hide all file folders.
- Hotkey for taking the application out of Stealth Mode.
- The Hotkey for hiding all file folders (CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + H).
- Hotkey for viewing all folders (CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + S).
- Password protection when an application is taken out of stealth mode.
- Password protection when an application is opened.
- Compatible with Windows XP/2000, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Window
2. Anvi Folder Locker Free
Anvi Folder Locker Free is to hide, add authorization, or set the password to defend your files and folders. The size of the software is 13.8M. Windows 8/7/XP/Vista is compatible with this folder lock. CNET and PC Magazine speak well about this software.
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3. Hide Folders
Hide Folders is an innovative software application that enables you to password protect all the private information on your hard drive. You can quickly make your files folders unreachable, unseen or protect them from alteration or deletion. The protected folders files are inaccessible to users – no matter how they are trying to get in – from the net or locally.
Useful protection tools, an intuitive user interface, and a set of fine-tuning choices will suit the needs of everyone, from beginner Windows users to computer specialists. Since 2001, their Hide Folders software helps users to hide personal files and folders from snooping eyes.
Features
- Immediate data protection
- Four protection procedures available: Hide, Lock, Hide & Lock, Read Only
- It supports NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and FAT volumes.
- Support file masks (wildcards).
- The limitless number of folders can protect at the same time.
- Limitless size of protected data.
- No file system configuration changes will occur.
- Password protection to stop illegal users from accessing your private data.
- Protected uninstall of software.
- Eliminating the Hide Folders program folder from the system will not depict hidden folders.
- It supports Multilingual; its user interface supports different languages and can be easily translated to new words.
- Instinctive and very easy-to-use user interface with skins.
- Folder Guard for Windows 10, 8, 7, XP
Folder Guard® is a dominant computer security program that you can use to control access to files folders and other Windows resources. The Folder Guard is to lock your private files and folders with passwords, to stop other users from peeking into your records.
You can even totally hide your folders from practically all applications, and such folders would remain unseen until you enter a valid password. You can also defend sensitive system files from alteration or devastation, hinder access to the changeable drives, restrict access to Control Panel, and more.
4. Folder Lock
Folder Lock is for password-protected files, folders, and drives. It encrypts essential files on the fly, backup them in real-time, protects portable drives. Folder Lock shreds files & drives and cleans all history.
It is the most downloaded file-security program, with over 45 million users. Folder Lock works on 64-bit Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 32-bit Windows. It is suitable for Windows Mac Dropbox.
Features
- Encrypt files on-the-fly
- Lock folders in seconds
- Password-protect USB/External Drive
- Sync & Backup Encrypted files
- Save Wallets / Cards / Passwords
- Shred and permanently delete files
- Stealth Mode
5. NEO Folder Lock
NEO Folder Lock is an excellent folder locking tool. It can only lock and unlock your files and folders. Its feature is to lock file and folders and unblocks the command prompt.
6. Folder Locker Pro
The Folder Locker Pro locks folder’s with a password and stops others from accessing them 99%. It is spy-proof because, unlike other freeware, it usages an encode know-how, thus making it firm to force its way into your hidden folder physically. You can also use this Password Protect Folder to increase your security.
7. Folder Lock
The Folder Lock is a minor program that permits you to lock and hide any file folder. Whether the folder is on your USB or computer, Folder Lock will take care of it. Simple and small, just about anyone can use Folder Lock. Folder Lock now has an occupied assembled updater, so any released updates will be accessible for you to copy at your choosing.
8. IObit Protected Folder
IObit Protected Folder is a useful Files Protection Tool. This Password Protect Folder software promises the Security of Vital Folders, Data, and Privacy. I just fixed a password to lock down vital files and data to get more effective protection for these folders. This software has more important files of protection tools. It can enhance privacy protection mode.
There are snooping eyes all over the place, irritating to access private files, and Protected Folder Windows 10 protects your private data and files. As a result, password access always requires and, no matter which needs to get protected private information. Noe no more uncertainties about privacy leaking. Because this Safer Files & Data Locker can protect your data.
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9. EMCO UnLock IT
EMCO UnLock IT is a free tool. If you are struggling with the Windows message that entrance to the denied resource or uses another application when you try to rename, modify, move, or delete a file or folder. In many cases, this message means that a file folder is under lock, but it’s not clear what to do without any assistance. EMCO UnLock IT can deliver you with such support and help you to unlock the file folder.
10. Quick File Locker
Quick File Locker is also suitable for doc and pictures folders. If you want to protect personal pictures, hide sensitive videos, or lockdown documents, you can use the folder locker. Quick File Locker will swiftly lock and encrypt files, folders, or USB drives to confirm your confidentiality.
It very simple to use. In Windows Explorer, you can lock files with an easy drag and drop or with a right-click on them. You will be happy to know that Quick File Locker has a Stealth-mode operation and defends locked data even in safe mode. It is a free and multilingual software.
Features
- Protect personal pictures
- Check Icon Hide secret videos
- It Checks Icon Lockdown folders
- Check Icon Encrypt sensitive information
- Icon Supports also USB and peripheral disk drives
- Ensure Icon Stealth-mode operation
11. SecretFolder
The SecretFolder is a free Hide Folder for office and home. SecretFolder is a dominant solution to protect your data from others, including crackers. You can protect and hide your data from external viruses and malware.
Information security will be underway shielding local data. So the requisite to manage your data by yourself. SecretFolder will provide you powerful function for your organization to protect your data. Also, you can avoid ransomware, which causes a lot of harm to the PC user.
12. Hide Folders for Mac
Hide Folders is for Mac and a freeware app devoted to defending folders and documents. Hide Folders is a freeware app dedicated to protecting files and folders on the Mac. With a click, it obscures files and folders with all their contents.
Hide Folders for Mac is free to download, and you can easily use it as long as you demand. It’s enhanced for 64-bit compatibility, and it works with all up-to-date Macs operating macOS. There is also a Pro version which contains some extra features.
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13. Wise Folder Hider Free
Wise Folder Hider Free is for hiding private files, videos, photos, and other private data from your PC for free. With Wise Folder Hider, it is easy to hide files and folders. To protect private or vital data from illegal access and deletion of this software is very helpful. The additional level password for a selected file, folder or drive also raises security.
14. Free Hide Folder
Free Hide Folder is free security software and Password Protect Folder for PC to hide your folders. It is very beneficial to keep your private data away from others. Others will be unable to know where your private files exist, and they will not be able to view them unintentionally.
It is easy to hide folders only with a few mouse clicks. Free Hide Folder uses the password to change or remove the folder at any time. It uses a Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10 platform. The file size is only 876 KB.
15. Easy File Locker
The Easy File Locker software is absolutely FREEWARE. Accessible File Locker is an easy-to-use and lightweight file lock software product for Windows Operating Systems. It can guard your folders and files.
With its unlimited guard, users will not copy, open, modify, delete, move, read the locked files/folders, or even unable to see it. The hidden files/folders will be entirely unseen for all users and to any program.
16. Password Protect Folder LocK-A-FoLdeR (Free)
LocK-A-FoLdeR is a comprehensive solution for any beginner. The folder lock software uses a single master password, it has a slight UI, and it does not propose any configuration that you can deceive with.
Accessible File Locker is planned to shield files/folders on the user’s local PC. It doesn’t alternate the safe files and folders, it will not affect the computer speeds, and it will never have the possibility to destroy your data.
17. Folder Protector
Folder Protector is excellent software to use. This portable software encodes and password protects folders on the USB drive, hard drive, and all types of mobile storage devices. This excellent Password Protect Folder can save your data.
The File Security of this software is undeletable, unmovable, and inaccessible. It uses three Security Methods like Lock, Scramble, and Encrypt. So you can enjoy full data protection anytime and anyplace.
There is no installation and straight run and protect your data. It supports EN/FR/DE/JP/KO/RU/ES/TR/CN languages. The software is compatible with Windows 10/8/7/Vista/2012/2008/2003/XP. Finally, the software size is only 1.2 MB.
18. Folder Lock Lite
Folder Lock Lite is a cut-down version of the previous Folder Lock software. It gives users the ability to hide and lock the documents, videos, images, and other file types with password protection employing windows kernel level security.
You can use this Password Protect Folder system. Its drag and drop interface makes folder and file locking easy. Folder Lock Lite defends data even in safe mode and works on all operating systems like Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP.
19. Bitdefender Total Security (Commercial)
Bitdefender Total Security contains Bitdefender File Vault, a tool that lets you make personal vaults on your Windows PC. The vaults are safe places where you can keep secret files folders away from nosy eyes.
They are all encoded and can be opened only by providing the password you have set. When you have formed a vault, all you have to add folders or files to is right-click on them, choose the Bitdefender submenu, and select the action you need from the Bitdefender File Vault list of choices.
Bitdefender File Folder Vault is one of the best folder guard tools that we have used, but unluckily, users can use it only if they buy a subscription to Bitdefender Security.
20. BitLocker Password Protect Folder Windows 10
BitLocker is one of the best Windows 10 encryption software to protect your folder. It was introduced from Windows Vista. It is designed to protect the data of the entire volume.
BitLocker supports both 128-bit and 256-bit encryption keys. But it does not support Windows 10 home edition. To use it, you have to turn on standard BitLocker encryption.
To improve your data, you should turn on-device encryption. On Windows 10, go to the start button > setting > update > security device encryption and turn on your device encryption. Before going to set, be sure that you are logged into to administrator account.
Final Thought
Password Protect Folder is a superior technology to protect your data. It is also usable for significant data migration. As a technology lover, you can choose one of the Windows security tools.