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How to Hide and Lock a Folder or Files in Windows

Home > File Encryption > Hide and Lock a Folder or Files

By Justin SabrinaUpdated on December 17, 2022

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Summary
Read this post carefully to learn how to encrypt, lock and password protect folders and files in Windows 10, Windows 7/8/XP with or without file encryption software. Try a preferred solution to put a password to protect files and folders in Windows computer.

CONTENTS

I backed up a lot of private photos from my digital camera to computer, but my wife would use my computer, I don't want others to view my photos, I know that we can hide folder Windows 10, or tucking those unmentionable plans or files in a secret folder in Windows 10 that is password protected, I thank this free method is not safe, because anyone with the tiniest bit of know-how can easily find them, I need a professional file lock software to set a password to protect photo and other files in Windows 10, how do I password protect my files and folders in Windows with third-party file/data encryption software?

I work in insurance, so I store a lot of customer information in my computer, If my company's private documents are stolen, I will be punished by law. I want to know how to hide or password protect company documents in Windows 7?

Why Need to Hide or Password Protect Folders/Files?

As a computer user, we stored some important files and private data on the PC, we'd like to keep secret from the world, because everyone has their own privacy. For example, if you have got some sensitive photos and videos you don’t want other people to see; Some important company files are stored in the computer and you don't want your child to view it; You’re a parent not wanting your child to access inappropriate content; Maybe you’re working in a public place, and don’t want anyone to access your personal data; Your friends use your computer and not allow they’re cluttering up your Documents folder, you want to hide them...

No matter if you are a businessman, an employee, a student, or even a housewife, you will save your personal information, important documents, and other sensitive data on your computer. Once your privacy leaks or important data theft by malicious behavior, you will suffer serious damage, so it is necessary to hide or password protect files/folders on computer.

Free or Paid Methods to Password Protect Folders and Files

Below, we will teach you how to hide or encrypted files/folders in Windows 10/8.1/8/7 (32 & 64bits) and Windows Vista/XP with or without software.

Method 1: Hide Files and Folders on Every Windows Operating System

Part 1: Hide Files and Folders in Windows 7/8/10

All Windows computer build-in with file and folder hiding function, if you want hide a folder in Windows 7 or Windows 10 computer, please follow the guide below:

Step 1. Open Windows’ File Explorer and navigate to the folder or file you want to hide.
Step 2. Right-click on it, select “Properties”, and check the “Hidden” box in the menu that appears.
Step 3. Click “OK” and the folder will disappear from view.

hide folder in windows computer

Part 2: Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 7/8/10

If you want to access the hidden files or folders later, please follow the simple steps to show your hidden files

For Windows 7:
Click the “Organize” button on Windows Explorer’s toolbar and select “Folder and search options” to open it.

show hidden file in windows 7

Click the “View” tab at the top of the Folder Options window. Select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” under Hidden files and folders. Click “OK” to save the new setting.

show hidden file in windows 7

For Windows 8/10: Clicking the “View” tab on File Explorer’s ribbon and click the “Hidden items” checkbox in the Show/hide section. File Explorer will immediately show hidden files and will remember this setting until you change it.

show hidden file in windows 10

Disadvantage:
Difficulty: Very Easy
Level of Obscurity: Low
Level of Security: Low

This won’t secure your files at all, it will just hide them from view. Anyone with the tiniest bit of know-how can easily find them.

Although this method is very simple, but that trick, while mildly clever, did not actually protect anything behind a password. It involved hiding a folder on your system and using a “password” to unhide it—even though any user could still unhide it without the password. You can still find this trick all over the internet, but we do not recommend using it. It causes loads of problems for many users who don’t know what they’re doing, and the password does nothing to protect you from snoopers—you might as well just hide the file.
So, below we will teach you about how to hide files/folders or password protect folders/files by a professional File Lock software, which is data security software that is powered by AES 256-Bit military grade encryption algorithms.

Method 2: Password Protect Files, Folders on Windows by UkeySoft File Lock

UkeySoft File Lock is a professional data encryption software, which not only can help you hide files/folders; password protect files/folders on both versions of Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 operating systems; but also password protect data on flash drive, external USB drive, thumb drive, memory card, pen drive, and network drive.

More Features of UkeySoft File Lock

- File Encryption with the strongest 256-bit AES algorithm
- Make files folders and drives read only;
- Lock hard drive and external USB drive in Windows 10/8/7;
- Hide an entire drive from prying eyes on Windows computer;
- Monitor a disk or a folder and its sub-folders;
- Set a passwords on your folder shared on network, in order to limiting some one to access to them;
- Create a portable self-executable Locker in USB Drives, CDs/DVDs, memory card to setting a password to protect them.
- Wipe unused disk space to free up more disk space.

Tutorial: How to Hide or Password Protect Files and Folders in Windows 10

Step 1. Download and Launch UkeySoft File Lock on Windows Computer
First of all, please click the above download button to download UkeySoft File Lock Windows version, then installing and running it on computer, you will get a new windows as below, please enter the initial password – 123456 and click “OK” button.

launch file lock app

Step 2. Click “Local Disk”
If you want to hide files/folders or set a password to protect files/folders on computer, please click “Local Disk” option in the main interface, you will see there are four main function under this option: “Hiding Files”, “Locking Files”, “Protecting Files” and “Folder Monitor”. Click “Hiding Files” or “Locking Files” function if you want to hide or password protect files/folders.

File Lock

Step 3. Add Files or Folders to Encryption or Hiding
In the menu bar on the right, click on "Hide File(s)" or "Hide Folder" to add which files/folders you want to hide. All the hidden files, folders will be listed here with details.

hide files

In the menu bar on the right, click on "Lock File(s)" or "Lock Folder" to select the file or folders you want to password lock. All the encrypted folders, files will be listed here with details.

add folders to lock

Add files to the program to lock with password.

add files to lock

Above simple click, you have hided or locked files, folders, and drives with password, now no one can see or use your locked files, if you want to see or use the locked files, you must to type the correct master password.

Step 4.Unhide or Unlock Files/Folders
If you want to unhide the hidden files/folders on Windows computer, please select the files/folders that you don’t need hide, and click “Unhide” button.

unhide files, folders

If you want to unlock the locked files/folders on Windows computer, please select the files/folders that you want to unlock and click “Unlock” button.

unlock files, folders

UkeySoft File Lock is a well-known and reliable data encrypt software that allows you to both password protect and encrypt the files, folders on local drive , USB drive or LAN Network. After your sensitive data has been encrypted, all sensitive files and folders it included become locked and inaccessible. This is a safe and fast method to set a password to protect your private data, never damage to your data and collect your personal data. In additional, if you want to make invisible files and folders on a Mac, UkeySoft File Lock for Mac is a good choice, it can help you keep your information away from prying eyes, just one click to hide personal folders and documents on Mac wit the help of UkeySoft File Lock for Mac.

Folders and Files Locker
Justin Sabrina

Justin Sabrina

Justin Sabrina has over 10 years of content writing experience. She specializes in product reviews, how-to guides, tips and tricks, top lists, etc. on data encryption, multi-media conversion, screen recording and iOS unlocking. At UkeySoft, she performs in-depth research SEO copywriting and collaborates with our R & D team to offer effective software solution, most of her articles on software are helpful and easy to read, helping our reader easily solve problems through using software or apps.

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