How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows

Method 1: Text-Based Folder Lock

• Double-click the folder.
• You’ll be creating your batch file within the directory that’ll store your locked folder.
• Create an empty text document within your folder by right-clicking an empty space and selecting New > Text Document.
• Within this document, copy and paste the following code:

cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Locker
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/N)
set/p "cho=>"
if %cho%==Y goto LOCK
if %cho%==y goto LOCK
if %cho%==n goto END
if %cho%==N goto END
echo Invalid choice.
goto CONFIRM
:LOCK
ren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
echo Folder locked
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter password to Unlock folder
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%==your_password goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Locker
echo Locker created successfully
goto End
:End

To set your password, change the your_password bit in the line if NOT “%pass%==your_password” goto FAIL to a password of your choice:

• Once you’ve added your password, head to File > Save As within your Notepad program. 
• Name it anything you’d like, Locker in my case, but ensure you add a .bat extension to your file. 
• In my case, I will name my file Locker.bat (ensuring I’ve included the extension).
• Double-click the BAT file to create your Locker folder.
• This is the folder that will be locked with your password. 
• You should now have a folder and a file named Locker.

• Place all your sensitive documents within this Locker folder. 
• Once you’ve placed your files, double-click your Locker.bat file again. 
• A command prompt will open asking if you want to lock your folder. 
• Input Y and press Enter.
• If you enter your password correctly, your Locker folder will reappear again.

Method 2: ZIP Folder Lock

• 7-Zip also allows users to password protect their folders. To follow this method, first download 7-Zip.
• Once 7-Zip is downloaded and installed.
• Click the start menu and type 7zip. 
• Select the 7-Zip File Manager option. 
• Then, locate the file or folder you want to protect. 
• Click on it, and click the Add option at the top of the window.
• Next, enter your new password in the Encryption section. 
• When you’re done, click OK.