Windows operating system doesn’t offer an easy way to lock individual folders with passwords. Although it’s possible to hide folders in Windows, we can’t password-protect folders. The BitLocker Drive Encryption feature is not suitable for locking individual folders.
While there are plenty of third-party applications around for the same job, the problem is that almost all of them are paid. For users who are looking for free but good folder locking software, here is a useful software for the job.
SecretFolder for Windows
SecretFolder is a free software designed to help you password-protect folders with ease. The program offers a very basic interface but is easy to use. SecretFolder is compatible with all recent versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 11.
When you protect a folder using SecretFolder, the folder will not appear in Windows Explorer (File Explorer). The good thing is that users can’t access protected folders even from the Command Prompt, a very useful feature indeed.
SecretFolder features
One of the features I am really impressed with is Protected Uninstall. As you would have guessed by now, a user needs to enter the password even to uninstall this software, which means that someone can’t access your protected folders just by gaining access to your PC. During our test, even popular software uninstallers couldn’t uninstall SecretFolder without the password.
The feature is really important as there are many applications available to reset the Windows account password and bypass the logon screen. And if someone gets access to your PC, s/he can’t access your protected folders by uninstalling the software as the program prompts to enter the password to get uninstalled.
SecretFolder supports NTFS, FAT, FAT32, and exFAT file systems. There is no limit on the number or size of folders that can be protected, meaning you can protect any number of folders with any size.
As is the case with other folder-locking software out there, after setting up SecretFolder, you just need to add folders that you want to hide and protect. You can either click the Add button to browse to the folder that you want to protect or simply drag and drop the folder to SecreatFolder’s window.
To unlock and show protected folders, you need to run SecretFolder again, enter the password, select the folder that you want to unlock, and then click the Unlock button.
Under Preferences, you can find options to change the password and language.
One big caveat, though – it will not automatically lock unlocked folders after closing the program (at least in the current version). That is if you have unlocked a protected folder to access its contents and close SecretFolder, the program will not automatically lock the unlocked folder. You need to open up the program again and click the Lock button.
SecretFolder is fully compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11 (64-bit only). With default settings, SecretFolder starts with the Windows operating system, but you can change this behavior under Preferences of SecretFolder.
Overall I am really impressed with this free folder-locking software. We encourage you to try out this free software. Do let us know if there is a free program with a better set of features to password-protect folders in the Windows operating system.
SecretFolder is 100% freeware (comes with no strings attached) and is updated often. Visit the below-mentioned link to visit the developer’s page to begin downloading the software.
Terry L Rader says
How do I download SecretFolder? All I get is bullshit when I click a download button.
Md pervez says
Please help me.
I need uninstall secretfolder.
Tom Brett says
Download link dead.
Nancy Chan says
I changed computers but forgot to migrate my FOLDER, can I restart FOLDER with PW on another computer?
PANKAJ MANDAL says
my secret files and folders are fafe dont so any one my secret fo,der
Navaro Mark says
I need to uninstall Secretfolder but i dont know my password
admin says
Please contact the developer of the program.
Sachin says
I forgot my password and your Register password recovery service isn’t working.
please assist
Sachin says
I have a problem with password recovery.Please help
Roger Dick says
Password stopped working programme said wrong password. Did a recovery to my email but recovery code does not work. Cant uninstall because I need the password. Now totally useless.
Ohsoft customer support useless. N positive suggestions on how to resolve problem.
When woking is a great little programme but beware.
Sheraz sahi says
i can not recovery my password
the secret folder sends PASSWORD ON THE GMAIL AND ENTERS IT ON THE RECOVERY PASSWORD AREA BUT IT SAY THAT THIS PASSWORD IS INCORRECT
Luc Vanderper says
Secretfolder : when I try to add a folder, I receive “Error, can not be added to systemfolder”
Raj says
I unlocked a folder in the Secret Folder but the folder is still not visible in its location. I removed the folder from the list of folders in Secret Folder. Still it didn’t work. I even uninstalled the Secret Folder from my PC but this also didn’t work. Not finding any means to get back the folder which is very important for me. Please help me as soon as possible.
Robert Fallon says
I have forgotten my passcode. had nothing in the vault and would like to remove the remainder of the files. please assist.
Thank you
someone says
What if I remove the hard desk that has the locked folder and install the hard disk into other pc?
bigeagle says
Secret Folder does one other thing. In the License Agreement it says:
“SecretFolder is running as a sponsored program.
Sponsored program BRTSvc is a cryptocurrency miner and is a sponsor program that utilizes system resources only when the PC is idle to minimize user inconvenience.
If the user is not comfortable with the sponsor program, delete BRTSvc from Add / Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel.”
After removing BRTSvc I ran Malwarebytes Free and it found other Bitcoin mining files. Your review which says “comes with no strings attached” is not correct.
rashna says
u should install new window then ur software can remove and files which were safed before would be unsafe and u will have to again safe them under this software
Somnath Daimary says
How to recover my password if I forget. Please help
KittyKat says
What if you forgot your password, how can you recover your locked files?
A.M NIZAMUDEEN says
I dont remmerber my password!!!
help meeee please!!
I need uninstall Secretfolder
Richard says
In theory, the need for a password to uninstall seems to be a good feature. I’m wondering, however, what happens in the case of doing a system restore to a point before the installation of the program and what would happen to the hidden folders in that scenario. I had to do a system restore for another reason and had the Secret Folder installed but did not yet have any folder hidden. After the restore, it wiped out the installation of Secret Folder but if I had folders hidden, what would have happened to them after the system restore?
admin says
Thanks for the update, Justin.
Justin says
Just downloaded SecretFolder and they have apparently fixed the caveat that you had noted. In the preferences there is a check box to auto lock folders on program exit.
Bishajit Mondal says
I don’t remember my password, help me please………….
Camila says
I dont remmerber my password!!!
help meeee please!!
I need uninstall Secretfolder