How do I password protect a folder/file?

[AbhishekS]

I tried using WinZip, a friend said that it's possible to password protect a ZIP file but I am unable to do so. I don't like WinRar and 7Zip much for daily use, so I would like to have an alternative to password protect my folders/files.

I have heard and read about many 3rd party softwares, but all of them create a separate folder in which I have transfer the files, similar to a real life locker. But the kind of software I need is the one which has the ability to right click a folder/file and set a password, and whenever someone clicks on it, the password is asked.

I DO NOT want the folder/file to be invisible, I want it to be visible but protected by a password.

Any suggestions on a built-in or a 3rd party software to do so?
I'm on Windows 7 Home Premium (32 bit).

Thanks.

Regards,
Abhishek Sharma

 

[Britton30]

I don't think it is possible to password protect a single file/folder. You' have to either use one of the file compressors or create a virtual partition to save your files to that need protection. TrueCrypt and PGP come to mind. with compression, 7zip I think is more secure.

Other option is to place a password on your startup so one is needed to start the PC.

 

[cluberti]

You can also use EFS (if using a version of Windows that supports it's use), which would protect it. You need to be careful with the key pair for those keys though, as a reinstall (without a key backup and restore) will render the files inacessible.

The Encrypting File System

 

[AbhishekS]

I don't think it is possible to password protect a single file/folder. You' have to either use one of the file compressors or create a virtual partition to save your files to that need protection. TrueCrypt and PGP come to mind. with compression, 7zip I think is more secure.

Other option is to place a password on your startup so one is needed to start the PC.

I have a password set up for my user but still for safety purposes I wish to protect my files. Can you suggest something?

You can also use EFS (if using a version of Windows that supports it's use), which would protect it. You need to be careful with the key pair for those keys though, as a reinstall (without a key backup and restore) will render the files inacessible.

The Encrypting File System

Well sorry to say that I've never used it and so I find it too complicated. Any alternatives?

 

[rraod]

If your computer has multiple user logins (office environment with or without LAN) and each use his/her username/password, then it is better to use Windows NTFS file and folder permissions for protecting the file contents. This way when someone tries to access your folder/file, they will get "Access Denied" message. But an Administrator can still access your files. To prevent every other person (including Administrator) from accessing your files, you could also use Encrypted File System (built-in NTFS) for extra protection for highly sensitive files.

If you have only one username for login (a typical home computer), then you could use the application's (MS Word, Excel, Acrobat etc.) built-in file open and modify passwords or use either WinZIP, WinRAR or other file compression utilities with password protection.

 

[AbhishekS]

Yes WinZip is what I heard, but I can't seem to add a password to a ZIP file. I don't want to use WinRar as I don't like it much to be honest.

 

[AbhishekS]

Alright, what I have done now is added all my files into a ZIP archive and I finally managed to add a password, thanks to WinRar. But now when I open the ZIP file and view the files, all the files work fine except for the images. Windows Photo Viewer is not able to open the password protected images. But when I open the ZIP from WinRar and click on the images, the images open perfectly.

Also this can't be a permanent solution to my problem as to access each file I have to enter a password separately. Would have been nice if the folder would have been password protected and once I enter it by entering the password, I can access all files.

 

[derekimo]

Alright, what I have done now is added all my files into a ZIP archive and I finally managed to add a password, thanks to WinRar. But now when I open the ZIP file and view the files, all the files work fine except for the images. Windows Photo Viewer is not able to open the password protected images. But when I open the ZIP from WinRar and click on the images, the images open perfectly.

Also this can't be a permanent solution to my problem as to access each file I have to enter a password separately. Would have been nice if the folder would have been password protected and once I enter it by entering the password, I can access all files.

Did you just password protect that archive?

I just did a folder with pics in it using my default password which can be set in the "file" dropdown menu.

When I opened it it asked for a password, I gave it and then went to the opened folder and the pictures displayed fine in photo gallery.

 

[Qdos]

If you ain't got Bitlocker then just use a third party facility like TrueCrypt Freeware

 

[AbhishekS]

Alright, what I have done now is added all my files into a ZIP archive and I finally managed to add a password, thanks to WinRar. But now when I open the ZIP file and view the files, all the files work fine except for the images. Windows Photo Viewer is not able to open the password protected images. But when I open the ZIP from WinRar and click on the images, the images open perfectly.

Also this can't be a permanent solution to my problem as to access each file I have to enter a password separately. Would have been nice if the folder would have been password protected and once I enter it by entering the password, I can access all files.

Did you just password protect that archive?

I just did a folder with pics in it using my default password which can be set in the "file" dropdown menu.

When I opened it it asked for a password, I gave it and then went to the opened folder and the pictures displayed fine in photo gallery.

I right clicked a folder containing my vacation snaps and click on add to archive. WinRar's menu popped up. I chose the archive format as ZIP and then clicked on 'Advanced' tab followed by 'Set Password' and gave it a password.

Images load fine if I open the ZIP with WinRar but they fail to load if the ZIP is opened by Windows Explorer.

 

[AbhishekS]

If you ain't got Bitlocker then just use a third party facility like TrueCrypt Freeware

It creates a separate encrypted disk/partition/storage device, and I'm not looking for that. I want my files and folders to be where they are, visible but not accessible without the password.

 

[derekimo]

Alright, what I have done now is added all my files into a ZIP archive and I finally managed to add a password, thanks to WinRar. But now when I open the ZIP file and view the files, all the files work fine except for the images. Windows Photo Viewer is not able to open the password protected images. But when I open the ZIP from WinRar and click on the images, the images open perfectly.

Also this can't be a permanent solution to my problem as to access each file I have to enter a password separately. Would have been nice if the folder would have been password protected and once I enter it by entering the password, I can access all files.

Did you just password protect that archive?

I just did a folder with pics in it using my default password which can be set in the "file" dropdown menu.

When I opened it it asked for a password, I gave it and then went to the opened folder and the pictures displayed fine in photo gallery.

I right clicked a folder containing my vacation snaps and click on add to archive. WinRar's menu popped up. I chose the archive format as ZIP and then clicked on 'Advanced' tab followed by 'Set Password' and gave it a password.

Images load fine if I open the ZIP with WinRar but they fail to load if the ZIP is opened by Windows Explorer.

Not sure what to tell you, I just did exactly what you said you did and they display fine in explorer.

 

[AbhishekS]

Can't understand the reason behind it. When I password protect, only then the images fail to load. I get a message saying, 'Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because either Photo Viewer doesn't support this file format, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Viewer.'

I never felt that password protecting a folder will be such a big issue in an OS as big as Windows 7! Even the simplest of the apps will work for me, but I doubt whether there exists any or not!

 

[derekimo]

Can't understand the reason behind it. When I password protect, only then the images fail to load. I get a message saying, 'Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because either Photo Viewer doesn't support this file format, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Viewer.'

I never felt that password protecting a folder will be such a big issue in an OS as big as Windows 7! Even the simplest of the apps will work for me, but I doubt whether there exists any or not!

Do the images load fine before you archive them?

What file extension are they?

 

[AbhishekS]

Can't understand the reason behind it. When I password protect, only then the images fail to load. I get a message saying, 'Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because either Photo Viewer doesn't support this file format, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Viewer.'

I never felt that password protecting a folder will be such a big issue in an OS as big as Windows 7! Even the simplest of the apps will work for me, but I doubt whether there exists any or not!

Do the images load fine before you archive them?

What file extension are they?

Yes they load fine before I archive them. All are .jpg images.

 

[derekimo]

Can't understand the reason behind it. When I password protect, only then the images fail to load. I get a message saying, 'Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because either Photo Viewer doesn't support this file format, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Viewer.'

I never felt that password protecting a folder will be such a big issue in an OS as big as Windows 7! Even the simplest of the apps will work for me, but I doubt whether there exists any or not!

Do the images load fine before you archive them?

What file extension are they?

Yes they load fine before I archive them. All are .jpg images.

Sorry, I can't seem to replicate that problem.

Have you tried the test archive or repair archive functions?

 

[AbhishekS]

Tried but still the same. Well let's not get into it.

Is there anyone who can suggest me a 3rd party software to solve my issue?

 

[vaidas3]

please read this article maybe halpful (and read comments some info there too)
How to Password-Protect a Folder in Windows 7 | PCWorld

 

[AbhishekS]

Well I found a freeware, Easy File Locker. Does my work to some extent. I can protect files as well as folders and keep them visible too, exactly what I wanted. Even when they are visible (not accessible), one cannot delete/move them, good! And when you click on them, you get a message of access denied.

This is what I wanted. Just wish that instead of access denied message it would ask me for the password. Is there any app which can do it?

 

[Coaxsist]

Bump!

This is also EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Does anybody know of anything?