How to password protect files in Windows 11 – Guide
Windows 10 and Windows 11 both come with strong built-in encryption, which is especially helpful if you use BitLocker. However, encrypting your drive only protects against people who cannot log into their account on their computer. And even if someone does manage to get access to your computer, they won’t be able to see anything unless they have the right password. ..
You can password protect a folder by using Easy File Locker, a freeware application that gives you fine-grained control over what you protect. This way, if someone gets your computer and tries to access the folder without your password, they would only be able to access the files in that specific folder, not the rest of the folders in your computer.
Protect Folders in Windows 11 Without Installing Apps
The first method that we show you to protect files or folders in Windows 11 is the solution that, natively, Windows 11 offers us. Of course, this function is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Enterprise and Windows 11 Education versions.
If you have the Home Windows 11 version, you will not be able to use this option as it is not enabled on the system. You will have to choose one of the other solutions that we have at our disposal using third-party applications. To lock a folder or file with Windows 11, we must perform the steps that I show below: To lock a folder or file on your computer with Windows 10, you can use the File Explorer app or a third-party application.
Next, we will need to click on the “Create a New Password” button. We will then be prompted to enter a new password. We can choose any password that we want, but it is important to make sure that it is difficult to guess. We can also choose to have the password automatically change every month, or every week. After we have entered our new password, we will need to click on the “OK” button. ..
We then click the button that says “Change Icon” and select the .ico file we downloaded earlier. We then click OK and our new icon is now displayed in the System Tray. ..
In the Advanced Attributes section, click on the button labeled “Custom Attributes.” In the Custom Attributes dialog, enter a name for your attribute and click OK.
In this section, we checked the Encrypt content to protect data box.
Details: We protect your files with a digital certificate that we must save. The password that will give access to the files is included on the certificate.
The certificate assistant will be a guide throughout the process to create the password and save the certificate to an external drive. This method is the same one that is available in Windows 10 to protect files and folders, so if you have not upgraded to Windows 11 or your computer is not compatible, you can use it without any problems.
WinRAR
Winrar is an application that we can use completely free of charge and without any limitation, despite constantly showing us a warning message inviting us to buy a license. Winrar allows us to protect files and folders in a very simple way, protecting the files with a password, without which we will not be able to unzip or open the file in any way, although we can access the contents of the folder through the visualization.
To add a password to a file or folder with Winrar on Windows, first download it from its website by clicking on this link. To create a compressed file from a folder or file, we must put ourselves in it, press the right button and go to the option Add to file, option that shows the Winrar logo.
This section will show an image of a file that will contain compressed files. The name of the file will be shown in the text field, and the password used to protect it will be shown in the new window. If you forget the password, you will never be able to unzip or access the files inside.
7-zip
If you don’t like the design of Winrar, an interesting application that allows you to zip files and folders with a password, we can find it in 7-Zip, an application that, like Winrar, we can download completely free of charge through this link . To create a zipped file from a folder or file, we must put ourselves in it, press the right button, point the mouse to 7-Zip and select from the drop-down menu Add to file.
Next, the image that heads this section will be shown, where we must establish the name of the file that will contain the compressed files, and in the Encryption section, we must establish with which password we want to protect access to the data that is inside it. After clicking in OK, if you forget the password used, you will never be able to unzip or access the files inside. ..
How to choose the best password
- Use a unique, easy-to-remember name or phrase that is not easily guessed by anyone.
- Use at least 8 characters that are easily remembered and can be used in multiple places.
- Be at least 2 letters long and no more than 12 characters long.
- Be at least 2 letters lowercase and no more than 8 characters lowercase.
- Be at least 2 letters uppercase and no more than 8 characters uppercase.
Combine uppercase, lowercase and special characters.
A 12-digit number is required for many purposes, including paying bills and buying items online.
Many people choose to make use of applications that allow them to generate passwords, and also store them so that they always have them at hand. ..
1Password, LastPass, Dashlane are some of the most interesting options when managing our passwords from any device and anywhere.
Protect Office documents
- Lock the document
- Disable editing
- Remove pages
- Lock the document and remove all pages
Please view the document but do not edit it. ..
Do not view or edit the document. ..
Final note
How to password protect files in Windows 11: This guide will show you how to easily password protect files and folders in Windows 11. This is a great way to keep your important files safe from prying eyes. ..
