Is there a way to "Lock" a folder on your computer so no-one else can see it? Or to put a password on it?

Question

Like so houseguests can't browse through the book/article you're writing, or see the pin-up photos of yourself from that time you were drunk in college, etc... But NOT to just make the entire computer password locked like at the "login" screen. Essentially if you want them to be able to view family photos and other stuff, but just not ONE folder where you'll put all of your "sensitive" stuff. I have Windows XP, by the way. Thanks!!

Answer 1

You can also get a program like this one:
http://www.download.com/Easy-File-Folder-Protector/3000-2092_4-10565111.html?tag=lst-0-1

You can try it free for 30 days and then you have the option to buy it for $34 (USD). It's worth the $34 trust me.

Answer 2

Haha.
You can add a password to a folder but for me sometimes it doesn't ask for a password so anyone can get into it. What you do is go to the folder, click on the view tab then click customize this folder. There you can change how the folder looks, like instead of having the pictures in it show before going into it you can have it show something else and you can also lock it. Even though you don't want to. I would reccomend that you make a guest account on your comp.I was in the same situation as you and my relatives came to live with us and they they ended up deleting alot of my stuff not to mention downloading programs and one of them even downloaded a virus.
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Answer 3

Hi,

There is no way to lock or password protect a folder in Windows XP. You can however password protect MS Office files that you put in them. Excel files, word documents, power point, everything.

Here is how to do that:

1. Click on File> choose Save As.
2. In the save dialogue, click Tools.
3. Click Security Options.
4. Enter desired password in password to open, and password to modify.

Thats it, you are done!

Hope this helped.

Answer 4

if you right click the file and click properties u can set it as hidden so it looks like its not even there. just go to windows explorer>tools>folder options>view>show hidden files if you want to open it. or u can use an encryption program and password protect whatever files or folders you want. i use truecrypt, i think its free, just google it.

Answer 5

If you want to lock then what i would do is set up a guest account, that way they cannot access your files, also edit your user account to make your folders private from other users. They can see your folders if they are logged into your account, so make them use a guest account.

Answer 6

Windows XP profession has this fetcher, othewise you need to buy forder encryption software price range from $ 28 to $500

Answer 7

There are programs that do this.
Also you can go through my computer and click hide file/folder. Then they won't see them, unless they unhide it.

Answer 8

with windows you'll need encryption software, i think you could store it in an encrypted compressed folder using something like 7zip