How To Create A Proper Password Protected Folder To Hide All Your Private Files

There are tons of different applications that allow Windows users to password protect files and folders on their computers, but not all of them are providing the best solutions. However, in this article you can find instructions on how to properly protect your private and most important files and folders without even download nor installing any software application. So, if you aren’t a fan of 3rd party security program then you are in the right place, as you will easily learn how to hide folders and password protect your most important data.

Before moving to the first step of the tutorial guide you need to know that a folder has to be created, as that will serve as the one that you will use as the default private place where to store the files you wish to hide from unwanted browsing done by other people. Remember that this post will work only for Windows Xp, Vista and Win 7 computers. Now that you this we can move on to the first step of the ‘how to create a password protected folder without using any 3rd party software programs tutorial guide:

1. Create the folder that you wish to password protect. Give it whatever name you wish. Save / move it wherever you want.

2. Now double click the folder you’ve just created. When the folder launches its contents window you need to right-click and create a new Text doc.

3. Open the text document and copy / paste the lines of code listed below:

• cls
  @ECHO OFF
  title Folder Private
  if EXIST “HTG Locker” goto UNLOCK
  if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER
  :CONFIRM
  echo Are you sure you 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 Private “HTG Locker”
  attrib +h +s “HTG Locker”
  echo Folder locked
  goto End
  :UNLOCK
  echo Enter password to unlock folder
  set/p “pass=>”
  if NOT %pass%== PASSWORD_GOES_HERE goto FAIL
  attrib -h -s “HTG Locker”
  ren “HTG Locker” Private
  echo Folder Unlocked successfully
  goto End
  :FAIL
  echo Invalid password
  goto end
  :MDLOCKER
  md Private
  echo Private created successfully
  goto End
  :End

4. Now you need to edit the ‘PASSWORD_GOES_HERE’ text line with the password you wish to use for your private folder.

5. After you have successfully copied all the above lines of code you need to save the file, but not as .txt. Click where it says Text Document and select ‘All Files’ and in the ‘File name’ bar enter: locker.bat . After the save has been completed you are free to remove the previously created text document.

6. Double click the locker.bat file and since it will be the first time it starts, it will create a new folder that is named ‘Private’. That’s the folder you will use as the hiding place for all your important private files / data.

7. Add all the files you consider to be secret in the Private folder and then double click the ‘locker.bat’ file once again.

8. Now you should see a script screen running. You are asked if you wish to lock the folder. Press the ‘Y’ button in order to confirm the action and the Private folder should immediately vanish and is no longer listed.

9. To open the private folder you will need to run locker.bat again and when asked for the password simply enter the password you have entered at step 4.

10. After that password has been successfully entered you will notice that the Private folder will be shown again and you can access the data stored within.

NOTE: The ‘.bat’ files are system files and these might be configured as ‘hidden’ from the Folder Options, which means that you need to go to Control Panel and launch Folder Options and un-check the option that says “Hide protected system files (Recommended)”. This will make the ‘locker.bat’ file to appear.

That is all and now you should be able to hide and password protect your most important files without even using any third party applications. Please note that this isn’t the best method to protect your files, but it should keep away any users that would be trying to snoop around your most important folders. If you have any extra questions or you can’t apply all actions listed above then please let us know in ‘comments’.