Windows 11 requires users to create a password to log in to the system. As an additional security measure, Windows 11 can create a password protected folder. To make the most of this security feature, you can keep all sensitive files (including PDF files) in the locked folder.
Windows’ built-in security features provide a good level of data protection. There are other ways to create passwords for your folders. Make sure your folder password is unique and strong. It is not a good idea to allow uninvited people access to your data because the password was simple to remember.
How to Password Protect Folder in Windows 11
You can password protect a folder in Windows 11 using multiple methods thanks to the built-in features. You can also use third-party programs that don’t compromise folder security. You may need to use some of these methods with certain editions of Windows. You can try each one to find the best one for you.
How to Make Folder Passwords Protected by Encryption
Only Windows 11 Pro edition has a built-in encryption option that can be used to password protect a folder. This method might not be applicable if you have a Windows Home edition. If you have multiple users using your computer, the encryption method can be useful. You don’t want anyone to see your folder. These are the steps you need to use to encrypt your folder contents.
To open the folder list, you can use File Explorer. Navigate to the folder that you wish to encrypt. Right-click the folder and choose “Properties”.Right-Click On The Folder And Select “Properties”
Click the “Advanced” button next to Attributes.
Check “Encrypt contents for data security” under the Compress or Encrypt attributes.
Click “OK”, then “Apply”Check Encrypt Contents To Secure Data
You will now be asked to confirm whether you wish to make changes only to this folder or to all files and subfolders. Click “OK” to select an option.
You can backup your file encryption key and certificate if you’re adding encryption protection for the first time. Follow the instructions on screen to select the Back up now option. Always choose a strong password that is impossible to guess
Double-clicking on the secure folder to open it will prompt you to enter the password. This will allow you to remove the folder access block. You can remove the encryption by unchecking the Encrypt contents for secure data box. Click the Apply button and then click OK.
How to Add Password to a Folder using 7-Zip
7-Zip, an open-source program, allows you to password-protect a folder in Windows 11. 7-Zip works with zip files. 7-Zip’s unique folder encryption protocol is what sets it apart from other programs for folder protection. First, download 7-Zip. Then follow the next steps.
Get 7Zip to your computer. Right-click on the folder that you wish to protect. From the context menu, select “Show More Options”. Select Show More Options
Select 7-Zip > Save to Archive.Select 7-Zip > Add To Archive
Select “0 – Store” from the Compression level dropdown menu. Then, click the Add to Archive dialog and tick the box “Delete files after compression”.
Next, enter your password under the Encryption section in the Enter password box. To close the dialog box, click “OK”.Enter Password And Click OK
A new folder with the.7z extension will be created. It can be opened with any archive software by entering the password.
How to Password Protect Folder on Windows 11 using OneDrive
OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud-based backup service, is great for securely storing your data. It can password protect any folder in Windows 11 making it even more popular. OneDrive offers the Personal Vault option that allows you to keep your entire folder, as well as all sensitive documents, safe.
OneDrive allows you to store up to three files in a protected folder. Microsoft 365 members can store unlimited data in OneDrive. This is how OneDrive can secure folders.
OneDrive is already installed on Windows PCs. If not, you can download OneDrive. To open the cloud icon, click on it in the system tray. Click The Cloud Icon
Select “Unlock Personal Vat” by clicking the gear iconSelect Unlock Personal Vault
Now you will receive a two-factor authentication code via your email address or phone number. To unlock your Personal Vault, enter the code as prompted. The code will be added to your file list. You can copy your folders to the Personal Vault and it will lock automatically after 20 minutes.
To lock the Personal Vault manually, right-click on it and choose “Show More Options.”Select Show More Options
Next, click on “Lock Personal Vault.”
How to Make Folder Password Secure Using BitLocker Device encryption
Microsoft provides great support when it comes to encrypting user information. BitLocker Device Encryption, for example, is a perfect example. BitLocker can be used to password-protect folders in Windows 11 Home edition. The encryption feature does not protect a specific folder, but the entire drive. This means that you can be sure that only you have access to the files and folders that are most important to your computer. We will show you how to activate BitLocker.
In the search bar, type “disks & volume” and click Manage disks & volumes.Open Manage Disks And Volumes
This will allow you to see all of your drives. You can click the “Properties” button next to the drive that you wish to password-protect.Click Properties
Click on the Turn on BitLocker button.Click On BitLocker
Next, you will be able to choose how to back-up the recovery key. Follow the prompts and click “Next”. To complete the encryption process, restart your computer after you have completed the steps.
How to make a password protected folder using third-party software
You can also use a third-party application to protect your Windows 11 folders. Easy File Locker, a powerful tool to protect individual files and folders, is an excellent choice. You can password-protect your folders in just a few clicks after downloading the desktop application. This is how it works.
Download Easy file locker and then install it.
Launch the tool after installation. Next, click System > Set Password.Select System > Set Password
Enter your password and click “OK”.Enter The Password And Click OK
Now, select Files & Folders > Add Folder.Select Files & Folders > Add Folder
Next, click the three dots menu to select the path to your folder. Next, check the Visible option and uncheck Accessible.
Click “OK” to confirm that the folder is now protected by the password.Enter The Folder Path And Click OK
Select the folder from the Easy File Locker software to reverse the password protection. Next, click Files & Folders > Remove and then click “Yes.”
How to Create a Password Protected Folder using a Batch File
A batch file is a collection of commands that are to be executed in an ordered fashion. We will use the batch file to protect a folder in Windows 11. This file contains a script that, when executed, creates a private folder with restricted access. To password protect a folder in Windows 11 with batch file, follow the steps below.
Click on the empty spaces in the folder you want to protect with a password. Next, click on New > Text Document. You will see a new text document. You can give it a name.Select New > Text Document
Copy the following text to the document.ScriptScript Continued
Locate the line with ‘TYPE_YOUR_PASSWORD_HERE’ and replace it with the password you want to use. Click the File menu and choose “Save as.”Select File > Save As
You can save the file as a batch file by replacing the file name with.bat. Next, choose Save as type “All files”.
Click “Save” to close the text file.Click Save
To run the batch file, double-click it. A new folder named Locker will be created within the same folder as that batch file. You can now move the folder that you wish to protect to this folder. Double-click the batch file once more, and press “Y” again. Then press Enter.
The Locker folder will now be invisible. To view the folder again, you can run the batch file.
Last Thoughts
Windows’ content protection features are a top priority because we don’t want anyone to alter our data. To ensure that files and folders remain encrypted, you can password-protect folder in Windows 11. You can either use the Microsoft features or other tools to accomplish this.
Cyber-world is filled with users who don’t miss an opportunity to see confidential information of others. If you password-protect your files and folders, there is less chance of your data being leaked.
