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Best Folder Lock Software for Windows 10

Some users keep important files on their PCs with confidential financial details in them. To keep user files and the folders that include them secure, Windows 10 offers sign-in security features. However, account passwords will do nothing to secure folders and files from unauthorized users who somehow bypass them.

So, there are various third-party folder lock software available users can install on their Windows 10 laptops or desktops as an extra precaution. If you need to make your folders and files more secure, check out the best folder locks for Windows 10 in this guide.

Part 1. What is Folder Lock Software?

Folder lock software packages are, as you might guess, tools with which you can lock up your PC’s folders. Such software packages enable users to password-protect folders and files and encrypt them on internal and external PC storage. Some are full data-protection packages that incorporate additional features for storing and encrypting card details (digital wallets) and shredding files. The best folder lock software for Windows 10 also makes selected folders and files invisible.

The lack of built-in Windows 10 folder protection features, especially for the Home edition, makes installing third-party software even more essential. Windows 10 Home includes a file encryption option, but it does not include any tool for locking folders. The Pro edition does incorporate Windows BitLocker, but that only enables you to lock an entire drive. WindowsBitLocker is not very flexible as users can’t lock specific folders with it.

Thus, users must turn to the third-party software offerings for locking folders to add flexible folder-locking utilities to their Windows 10 PCs. There are numerous non-freeware and freeware folder-locking software packages to choose from. If you’re not sure what one to go for, these are five of the best folder lock software for Windows 10.

Part 2. Best Folder Lock Software for Windows 10

1. IObit Protected Folder

IObit Protected Folder

IObit Protected Folder is an intuitive and straightforward to use folder-locking utility for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. This software is retailing at $19.95, which is very good value for a folder-locking tool that’s had some rave reviews. You can also try out a restricted trial package before purchasing the registered version.

The great thing about IObit Protected Folder is its intuitive drag-and-drop UI design. Users can lock their folders by dragging them from File Explorer into IObit Protected Folder’s window. All folders dragged into the window get locked by a password set up for the software. Users must open the folders via Protected Folder’s window.

Protected Folder’s flexibility is extended by its lock options. Its users can select “Hide,” “Deny Read Access,” and “Deny Write Access” settings for protected folders. This utility also includes an Exclude List that users can add files and subfolders within locked folders to so as to exclude them from locking.

2. Gilisoft File Lock Pro

Gilisoft File Lock Pro

Gilisoft File Lock Pro is among the most comprehensive folder-locking tools that pretty much has all the folder and file-locking tools you’ll need. This software is compatible with the Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP platforms. You can currently snap it up for a discounted $39.99 at the Gilisoft website.

File Lock Pro has an intuitive and clean UI design that incorporates tabs for locking/hiding files on local and external disks and shared folders. Thus, users can make their folders completely invisible or apply a password to them with this software.

The External Tools tab in File Lock Pro incorporates additional File Encryption and File Shredder tools. The File Encryption tool applies military-grade AES encryption to files. You can also entirely delete files with the File Shredder, which wipes unused disk space to guard against data recovery. With additional advanced settings and self-protection mode to boot, this folder-locker software has one of the most comprehensive feature sets.

3. NewSoftwares Folder Lock

NewSoftwares Folder Lock

NewSoftwares Folder Lock packs in an abundance of features to keep your folders and files and secure. The full Windows package is available at $39.95. There’s also a trimmed-down Folder Lock Lite version that you can download from the NewSoftwares.net website. The Lite version is among the best free folder lock software for securing files and folders. However, you’ll need to get the full package to utilize Folder Lock’s more advanced protection features.

Folder Lock is software with a beautifully designed interface with all tools immediately accessible on its left sidebar. Users can secure folders and files by adding them to the Lock Folder tab on that sidebar. This software secures folders and files by hiding them from their original locations, which users can unlock by disabling protection. Thus, all secured folders and files fall within Folder Lock’s master password.

Folder Lock also incorporates more unique features you won’t find in some alternative software. Its users can encrypt files with 256-bit AES encryption. Folder Lock provides users with a dedicated secured cloud backup feature. Digital Wallets is another unique feature of this software you can utilize for safely storing card and bank account number details among other things.

4. Wise Folder Hider

Wise Folder Hider

Wise Folder Hider is one of the best free folder protection software for Windows platform. Although this does have a $19.95 Pro version, the only notable difference is that users can encrypt an unlimited number of files with the Pro package.

This is among the best password-protect folder Windows 10 free software because it’s very straightforward to utilize and enables users to secure folders, files, and entire USB drives with double-password protection for the software and individual folders/files. This software also conceals the folders & files like other alternatives. On top of that, its users can set up encrypted lockers for files.

Another good thing about Wise Folder Hider is its context menu integration. Its users can select a “Hide File/Folder with Wise Folder Hider” option on the right-click context menus for folders and files. Thus, users can secure folders and files without even opening the WFH’s window.

5. Lock & Hide Folder

Lock and Hide Folder

Although Lock and Hide Folder lacks some of the more advanced features within the likes of NewSoftwares Folder Lock, it still packs in a handy suite of features for securing folders and files. It’s a lightweight folder-locking tool you can utilize on most Windows platforms. This software is currently retailing at $29 on its website.

Lock and Hide Folder enables users to quickly conceal selected folders and files. It makes the folders completely invisible within File Explorer and prevents all access for secured files. Unauthorized users won’t even be able to access secured files from recent document lists and Command Prompt. Even uninstalling Lock and Hide won’t reveal the hidden folders.

Lock and Hide Folder also incorporates handy hotkey shortcuts. Its users can quickly show or hide secured folders and files with password-protected keyboard hotkeys, which is a convenient feature.

FAQs About Folder Lock Software for Windows 10

Is there any way I can lock folders in Windows 10 without third-party software?

Yes, it is possible to lock folders with batch scripts. However, folder locks applied with batch scripts aren’t typically as secure as third-party folder lock software for Windows 10. Nevertheless, you can set up a folder-locking batch script file as follows.

Step 1: Click Windows Accessories on the Start menu, and then select to open Notepad from there.

Read More: How to Open Notepad on Windows 10

Step 2: Copy this batch script code with the Ctrl + C hotkey:

@ECHO OFF
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST Private goto MDPrivate
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure to lock this 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 Your Secure Folder
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%== wonderhowtogoto 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
:MDPrivate
md Private
echo Private created successfully
goto End
:End

Step 3: Press the Ctrl + V hotkey to paste the above code into Notepad.

Step 4: Click “File” and “Save As” to open a save window.

Step 5: Select “All Files” on the drop-down menu.

Step 6: Type Folder Lock.bat in the file name text box.

Step 7: Select to save the file to desktop, and click the “Save” button.

Now click the Folder Lock batch file on your desktop. A new Private folder will appear on the desktop when you first click the batch file. Drag-and-drop files you want to include in that locked folder into it.

Then click the Folder Lock.bat file on the desktop again to open a Command Prompt, and press the Y keyboard key to confirm. The Private folder will disappear. You can make it reappear by clicking the Folder Lock batch file and entering the password (or code) you sign in to Windows 10 with.

What is the Stealth Mode feature some folder-locking software packages include?

Stealth Mode is simply a feature that hides all traces of the folder-locking tool on a PC, so users who didn’t install it don’t know it’s installed. Lock & Hide and NewSoftwares Folder Lock are two folder-locking software packages with Stealth Modes.

Do folder lock software packages take up lots of hard drive storage space?

No, folder-locking software packages generally don’t take up lots of storage space. Some consume less than five megabytes hard drive space.

What’s the best of the five folder-locking software above?

Well, NewSoftwares Folder Lock and Gilisoft File Lock Pro might have the most comprehensive feature sets, but they are the most pricey packages listed. If you only need an effective folder-locking tool without extra features like file erasers and cloud backup, freeware offerings like Wise Folder Hider will be just fine. Go for the folder-locking software that best meets your user requirements.

Conclusion

Those are some of the best folder lock software for Windows 10 to secure folders and files with. The above software will conceal and password-protect your folders and files to make them ultra-secure. It’s recommended users with confidential files and data saved on their PCs install one of the above software packages as an extra safeguard on top of account passwords.

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