Reference number: CH000705
How do I password protect my files and folders in
Windows?
Question:How do I password protect my files and folders in Windows?
Answer:Tip: Before password protecting any document you may wish
to create a backup of the non-password protected folder and files
in case you forget the password in the future. The majority of Microsoft Windows operating systems do not come
with a method of password protecting your sensitive files and/or
folders. If you're using Microsoft Windows
3.x, Windows 95, Windows
98, you will need to download or purchase a third-party program to
password protect your files and folders in Windows; skip down to the
other security solutions section if you're
using one of these operating systems.
Microsoft Windows XP professional users
Microsoft Windows XP home users
Other security
solutions for protecting your files and folders in Windows
Things to remember when encrypting or
password protecting files and folders
Microsoft Windows XP
professional users
The below steps for encrypting the files on Windows XP
professional applies to users who are using a computer that has
different accounts. If you're using a single account for all users
who use the computer you will need to see the below
other security solutions section.
- Select the folder you
wish to encrypt.
- Right-click the folder and click Properties.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Check "Encrypt contents to secure data"
option.
- Click Apply and then Ok.
Encrypt contents to secure data is grayed out
This will be grayed out if you're using the home edition of
Microsoft Windows XP. See the below steps for securing the contents
of your folders in Windows XP home.
Show "Encrypt" on the context menu
The newest version of TweakUI
also enables you to show the Encrypt option in the context menu. To
do this, follow the below steps.
- Open TweakUI. If you do not have TweakUI you can
find additional details about getting and installing TweakUI
in document CH000141.
- In the TweakUI window, select Explorer
- In the right side of the window under Settings, locate
"Show 'Encrypt' on context menu" and check
the box. This option should be below "Prefix 'shortcut
to' on new shortcuts" and above "Show 'View
workgroup computers' in NetPlaces".
If you're missing this option, see document
CH000711 for additional information.
Microsoft Windows XP
home users
- Select the folder you
wish to encrypt.
- Right-click the folder and click Properties.
- Click the Sharing tab.
- Check the box Make this folder private
- Click Apply and then Ok.
Make this folder private is grayed out
In order for this option to work in Microsoft Windows XP home you
must meet the below requirements.
- The hard disk drive must be formatted in NTFS
and not FAT32. Additional information about determining the
type of file system your hard disk drive is running can be
found on document CH000713.
- The folder you're attempting to encrypt must be in your
own personal folder. For example, if your name is bob, you
must be encrypting a folder that is or that is contained
within the below folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\Bob\
You cannot encrypt any folders outside of this folder. If
you wish to encrypt outside this folder see the below other
security solutions.
Other security
solutions for protecting your files and folders in Windows
File and folders not frequently used
If you need to password protect files
and/or folders that you do not frequently use, one of the simplest
ways is to compress the folder and files with a compression
utility and password protect the compressed file. However,
each time you wish to work or modify the files you will need to
uncompress the files using the password. Windows
ME and Windows XP users - Microsoft Windows ME and Windows XP
come with their own compression utility. This utility can also be
used to compress and password protect files. Tip:
When a file is compressed, users can still view a listing of the
files in the compressed file. If you wish for both your file
names and the contents to be hidden, move all the files into a
single folder and password protect that folder.
File and folders frequently used or accessed
If you need to password protect and/or encrypt data you
frequently use, you will need to install a third-party program that
will enable you to protect your files and folders. Below are some
free and commercial solutions.
- AxCrypt
- An excellent free encryption utility that enables users to
encrypt all files within a folder and not allow those files to
be viewed unless a passphrase (password) is known.
- WinCry - A
freeware utility that enables your files to be encrypted, secure
deletion, as well as other helpful methods of protecting your
files.
- Folder
Guard - A commercial version of a password protection
software that enables you to password protect files, folders,
and other Windows resources.
Click
here to search for more solutions to password protect files and
folders in Windows.
Things to remember when encrypting or
password protecting files and folders
- There is no such thing as a 100% protected file. There are
numerous tools, utilities, and instructions for how to break a
lot of the encryption and passwords on files. However, the
protection methods listed above will protect your files from the
majority of users who may encounter them. If you're working with
really sensitive data we suggest a commercial product for
protecting your files and data.
- Even though a file or folder may be password protected it
still can be deleted (unless the program supports the ability to
protect files from being deleted). Always remember to backup all your files,
even those protected by passwords.
- If you forget the password, unless you're willing to spend the
time attempting to break it or pay someone else to break the
password, all your file data will be lost. Unless you've made a
backup of the non-password protected data.
Additional information:
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