How to Folder Lock in PC: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Are you tired of having your personal documents and media collections easily accessible by others who might not be supposed to see them? Whether it's protecting sensitive business data or simply keeping nosy family members out of your private files, folder locking is an essential security measure for any Windows user. In this article, we'll show you how to lock folders in PC running Microsoft Windows XP through 10 using a simple yet effective method.

Why Lock Folders?

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Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, let's quickly discuss why locker your files and directories might be important:

1. Data protection: Sensitive information like financial records, business secrets, or personal photos can fall into wrong hands if someone else has access to your computer.

2. Privacy: No one likes having their browsing history or embarrassing documents exposed without permission.

Fortunately, Microsoft provides a built-in feature that allows you to password protect individual folders and even entire drives in Windows XP through 10: NTFS (NT File System) file system encryption. However, this method has some limitations:

* It only works on NTFS formatted partitions.

* Encrypted files cannot be opened by non-admin users without the correct credentials.

Fortunately, there are third-party alternatives available that can overcome these restrictions and offer more features than native Windows tools alone. Let's explore how to lock folders in PC using Folder Lock software as an example:

### Step 1: Download and Install Folder Lock

To get started, download and install a reputable folder locking tool likeFolderLock from their official website.

!'Download and Install Folder Lock'(images/download_folder_lock.png)

Follow the installation wizard prompts until you reach the 'Activation' screen. Enter your serial key if prompted or opt for the trial version to test out basic features:

### Step 2: Open Windows File Explorer

Once installed, launch Windows' built-in file manager by double-clicking on its icon in the Start menu (or press Win + E):

!'Open Windows File Explorer'(images/open_file_explorer.png)

### Step 3: Navigate to Target Folder/Files

In the left-hand navigation panel under 'Favorites' or 'Quick Access,'double-click on the desired folder you want to protect:

!'Navigate to Target Folder'(images/navigate_to_folder.png)

Alternatively, simply type part of its name in the address bar at the top and press Enter.

### Step 4: Right-Click & Select Properties

Right-click anywhere inside the target folder or file(s) you wish to lock. From the context menu that appears, select 'Properties':

!'Right-Click & Select Properties'(images/right_click_properties.png)

### Step Folder Locking Options

In the 'Folder properties' dialog box:

1. Click on the 'General' tab.

2. Underneath 'Attributes,' check the boxes next to:

* Hidden

* Read-only (optional)

3. If prompted, enter your administrator password or provide UAC consent.

### Step 5: Confirm Changes

Click OK twice in both dialog windows that appear:

!'Confirm Folder Locking'(images/confirm_folder_lock.png)

Your selected folder(s) should now be hidden from view within Windows Explorer! To re-enable them again, simply repeat steps 3-4 above and uncheck the 'Hidden' box.

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And there you have it – a step-by-step guide on how to lock folders in PC running Microsoft Windows XP through 10 using both built-in features like NTFS file system encryption combined with third-party tools such as Folder Lock. By following these simple instructions, you can rest assured that your important documents and media collections are safe from prying eyes.

If you have any further questions or need additional tips on securing your PC environment beyond just folder locking (e.g., password protecting individual files within a locked directory), feel free to leave us a comment below!

How to folder lock in pc