How To Create A Password Protected Folder In Windows 7

Some people like to go all out with security and encrypt files and folders with such complicated codes that no computer hacker could figure them out. But then there’s also people who just want to hide files from casual PC browsers. That’s where this little guide could come in handy for you.

This tutorial will guide you through the steps to create a locked folder in Windows 7, and the best thing is you don’t need to use any additional software. Now anyone who really is serious about accessing your files will probably be able to crack this, but it should deter more than the average passer by.

A heads up to Simplehelp.net for putting this together:

1. First off, create a new folder and name it what you like

2. Go into the folder and create a new text document (Right click on blank area -> New -> Text Document)

3. Now you want to open up the text file you just created and paste in the following text:
cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Private
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" 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 "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%== ENTER YOUR PASSWORD HERE goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Private
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Private
echo Private created successfully
goto End
:End
4. Be sure to enter your password in the “Enter Your Password Here” bit

5. Next you want to save your this document in the .bat form and name it locker so it’s called locker.bat To do this make sure you change the Save as type: All Files (*.*)

6. Now you want to go back to the folder you created at the very beginning and double click on the locker.bat file and this should create a new folder named Private, this is where you can put anything you want.

7. Once you add your files to this folder, double click on locker.bat again and it will ask you if you want to lock the folder or not. Press Y and the folder will disappear! You’ve now successfully locked it and hidden it.

8. Now to get back your folder, all you have to do is double click on the locker.bat file again and enter the password that you made and the folder will reappear for you.