How to Get a Password to a Folder

Password-protect folders in Windows to keep others from viewing your data.

Passwords are always a good idea as a deterrent to those that may choose to browse documents and files on your computer. If you are not the only person that uses your computer or if your PC is part of a network, a log-in password alone may not be enough to protect your sensitive data files or documents. Windows 7 provides a way to encrypt and protect entire folders, which is much more effective than traditional log-in passwords.

Instructions

1. Right click on "Start," then click the "Open Windows Explorer" option when the pop-up menu appears.

2. Navigate to the data or document folder on your computer that you want to encrypt and protect with a password.

3. Right click the selected folder, then click "Properties" on the pop-up menu. Click the "Advanced" button near the bottom of the "Properties" window.

4. Click the check box next to the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option to enable it, then click the "OK" button. Click "OK" again. Wait for the "Confirm attribute changes" pop-up dialog box to appear. Click the check box next to the "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files" option, then click the "OK" button.

5. Wait for Windows to configure encryption for the selected folder. If prompted to do so, restart your PC. After Windows configures encryption for the folder, the operating system will no longer allow access to users logged in under other user names.

References

• Microsoft Windows: Encrypt or Decrypt a Folder or File
• Microsoft Windows: When Should I Encrypt Files and Folders?

Resources

• CNET TV: Password Protect Files and Folders in Windows
• Microsoft Windows: Back up Encrypting File System (EFS) Certificate