How to set a password to folders in Windows 10 to enter only me

The use of computers in homes and offices is an undeniable fact that continues to gain strength over time. It is for this reason that the security of the information we handle it should be a priority issue.

If we have a computer where more than one person has access to it and if we handle important or confidential information, it is necessary to protect it. Fortunately, whether we have a mobile or fixed storage device, we can protect information in several ways. One of them is to resort to hiding the folder in Windows 10 or having greater security by encrypting it by using passwords.

Can this be done without the use of programs?

We can use programs or applications available on the web to protect our files or folders. However, the Windows operating system has its own tools to do so and so only oneself can access the information.

Protect your Windows folder with a security password

In this post we are going to show you how you can protect your information if you have Windows 7, 8 and 10 remember that it is of vital importance even more if you share your computer with other people.

From a Windows 7

To encrypt a folder from this version of Windows, you can follow the following steps: locate the folder you want to protect, then click on it with the right button of the mouse. In the drop down menu, select Properties> General> Advanced Options and from there you activate the Encrypt content to protect data box. You give Accept and Apply where appropriate.

So that someone else can open it, you will have to log in with your password and username. So you need to make sure you own and activate your administrator account in Windows 10.

With Windows 8

In this case the best option is to put the folder in a subfolder as a compressed file. To do so, locate the folder you want to protect and with the right mouse button click Send to. Choose the option Compressed folder (in Zip) and follow the steps indicated to name and save the file.

The next step is to locate the compressed file and once again, click with the right mouse button and you are located in the File> Add password window. A box will appear requesting the password, fill it in and give it Apply and OK.

Windows 10

Basically in this version of Windows, you can use either of the two ways described in the previous ones. You could even use both ways at the same time to improve security. That is, the folder can be encrypted so that only you, with your Windows username and password, can access it once you log in. And also you can encapsulate it in a compressed folder with password access.

How to assign the appropriate security to your folder?

The tools that Windows offers can be compromised by some hacker experts or by their own carelessness. Nevertheless, we cannot bypass these password protection methods. Our folders and files will always be more protected than if they had nothing. Another way to protect information is by using external programs or applications that can provide us with even more security.

Recommendations for more secure passwords

Passwords should be easy to remember, this does not mean that we should use weak or easy to discover passwords such as identification number, date of birth, etc. We can use letter and number combinations and even symbols if allowed. It is also advisable to change the passwords and put a new one every so often.

Is it safe to have a folder with a password?

Today nothing is completely certain. Hackers are everywhere, wreaking havoc on even the most secure systems in the world. They have created applications that can crack passwords in no time. However, to protect files that we store on our own computer with access to other users, it will always be safer to protect them with a password.

If I forget my folder password, should I be concerned?

You can make Windows remember your password or proceed like this: locate the folder and click with the right mouse button and follow the next line Properties> General> Advanced Options and from there uncheck Encrypt content to protect data and then Apply and OK.

In conclusion, you can protect your folders yourself using passwords and using the tools that Windows offers you or using external programs to give them greater security.