How to password protect a folder?

[crimson]

Is there any way to password protect a folder? What if I convert it into a 7z file? Will that work?

 

[Frostmourne]

Yes, use the EFS:



Back up the security key once you do. If that is gone you most likely will never access the files. Also, be careful if you encrypt the %TMP% folder. Some installers will choke. Otherwise if you have 7 Ultimate use Bitlocker.

 

[msc]

It's easy to password protect using 7-Zip. Its better to double-zip so that no one can even see your file names.


Steps to Password Protect a Folder using 7-Zip File Manager
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Install 7-zip
Open 7-zip
Right click on the files or folder you wish to compress and encrypt.
Select "Add to Archive"
Firstly change the Archive format to Zip, then change the encryption method to the robust AES-256
Then click OK
Right click on the newly created zip folder
Select "Add to Archive"
Firstly change the Archive format to Zip, then change the encryption method to the robust AES-256,
Thirdly enter your password.
Then click OK. The rest of the options can be left as default.
Your password protected zip folder is created.


Windows explorer won't be able to open it. Error:Windows cannot complete the extraction.


Use 7-zip to extract the folder after entering password!!!

Need to enter password everytime to open folder.

If you wish to remove password protection:
Right-click on extracted folder inside 7-zip
Select "Copy To" or F5
Specify location