Question

password protect folders under Windows

Answer 1

Protect folders with a password using WinRAR
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
Protect folders with a password using 7-Zip
1st step:
2nd step:
Quick guide: WinRAR
Quick start guide: 7-Zip

---

You can protect folders and files on your Windows PC with passwords with little effort. Just follow our instructions!

If you want to protect sensitive data, you can protect the folders you have created with a password. Unfortunately, Windows does not inherently offer a way to secure a folder with a password. However, you can create an alternative with simple packing programs such as WinRAR or 7-Zip.

• Protect folders with a password using WinRAR
• Protect folders with a password using 7-Zip

Note: Strictly speaking, the methods we have introduced do not protect the entire folder with a password, but rather the files in it..

Protect folders with a password using WinRAR

Along with 7-Zip, WinRAR is probably the best-known "pack tool" for data compression . The method shown works from Windows 7 onwards. Read our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the quick start guide .

1st step:

Download the WinRAR and install the program. Then go to the folder to be encrypted and right-click on the folder. Then go to the point "Add to archive ...".

2nd step:

A window will now open in which you can make some settings for the archive to be created. You can adjust the archive name in the upper column . The folder name is used here automatically. You should also select "RAR" or "ZIP" under archive format , with "ZIP" being the most common. Now click on " Set password " at the bottom right .

3rd step:

A new window will open where you can set the password . Depending on the sensitivity of the data, you should choose an appropriately secure password . Enter the password and its confirmation in the fields. Finally, confirm both windows with " OK ". The password-protected archive is created. If necessary, delete the outgoing folder.

Protect folders with a password using 7-Zip

You can also set passwords for archives with 7-Zip. In the following step-by-step guide we will show you how to do this. Alternatively, take a look at the quick start guide ..

1st step:

First, download 7-Zip and install the software. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard. Now you have to right-click on the folder and select the item " 7-Zip " and then " Add to an archive ... ".

2nd step:

A window will now open in which you can make a few options for creating the archive . In the upper column you can adjust the archive name ; this always automatically corresponds to the folder that is to be compressed and encrypted. You can also select, for example, "zip" under archive format . You can also set your password on the right . Depending on the sensitivity of the data, you should choose an appropriately secure password.Once you have made all the settings, click on " OK " and the archive will be created.

Quick guide: WinRAR

1. Download WinRAR and install the program. Follow the installation wizard to do this.
2. Go to the folder you want to encrypt and right click on the folder. Here you select " Add to archive ".
3. Adjust the archive name and format, with " ZIP " being the most common.
4. Now click on " Set password " at the bottom right .
5. Set a password and enter it twice.
6. Finally, confirm both windows with " OK ". A password-protected archive will now be created.

Quick start guide: 7-Zip

1. First download 7-Zip and install the program. Follow the installation wizard to do this.
2. After successful installation, right click on the folder and select " 7-Zip " and then " Add to an archive ... ".
3. A window then opens. At the top you can adapt the archive name if necessary and under " Archive format ", for example, change the format of the archive to " zip ".
4. Set your password by entering it twice.
5. Once you have made all the settings, click on " OK " and the password-protected archive will be created. 

---