None of the versions of the Windows operating system allows you to lock individual folders with passwords. In simple words, you can’t password-protect folders without the help of third-party tools in Windows. Although there is an option to hide folders, the feature is of no use as most Windows users are aware of this feature.
Users who would like to lock folders with passwords to protect their data have no option but to go for third-party utilities. There are tools from popular software companies, but most of the folder locking applications out there are not free. That said, there are a few free folder locking utilities available for Windows operating system.
In this guide, we will talk about the top five free folder locker software available for Windows. Note that we have omitted many tools from the list as they try to install malware or adware on your PC. All below mentioned free tools support Windows 10.
SecretFolder
When it comes to free folder locking, SecretFolder is our favorite utility for the job. We have recently talked about SecretFolder and explained why it’s the best free folder locking software.
It’s worth noting that SecretFolder can’t be uninstalled without entering the password that you have set to protect your important folders. This means that if a user gains access to your PC, s/he can’t access your protected folders by uninstalling the SecretFolder program.
The downside is probably its very basic user interface. But it doesn’t matter as long as it does its job without any issues.
HiddenDIR
HiddenDIR is another helpful program designed to password-protect your folders with ease. The application sports a much-polished interface when compared to other similar programs in its class and is very easy to use.
Lock-A-Folder
Lock-A-folder is yet another free software to password protect folders. Just like other folder locking tools, you need to set up a master password and then add favorites that you want to make invisible and lock.
Just like SecretFolder software, it can’t be uninstalled without the master password. You need to enter the master password in order to begin the uninstallation, meaning anyone who has access to your PC can’t uninstall Lock-A-Folder and access your protected files and folders.
Unfortunately, the developer behind this project has abandoned the project, meaning there won’t be any updates in the future.
Free Hide Folder
The user interface is very basic but usable. Free Hide Folder is just another program to lock and hide your important folders in Windows.
If you are aware of any good free folder locking software around, please let us know by leaving a comment.
Anvi Free Folder Locker
Anvi Folder Locker is yet another free software available to password protect your data for free on Windows 10. It functions similar to the other tools mentioned above and has a better user interface. It adds Lock with Anvi Folder Locker option to the file context menu so that you can lock files quickly and easily.
Download Anvi Folder Locker
Mark E says
Secret Folder – disabled indexing on my Windows 11 machine without asking and apparently installs crypto mining junk as well. Absolute junk and failed to work as well. I’ll know to ignore the recommendations from here in future.
Muhib says
i tried the first two. they work and do the job. other comments are sponsored im afraid.
Nobody says
This all softwares have corrupted setup file. They may damage your pc
giRnerf0pf says
I tried Private Folder from eMing Software Inc. Very simple and very useful program. Thanks!
Lori says
Lock-A-Folder. I tried it. Yes, it works in Windows explorer, but Total Commander sees everything.
Worth nothing.
Apex Predator says
You MIGHT, just MAYBE, POSSIBLY want to mention that ‘Secret Folder’ also installs a nice little hidden piece of software along with itself that you have to read the fine print about to even notice. It is VERY irresponsible of you as the first hit on a Google search to not mention that your PC will be turned into a zombie crypto-currency miner and your video card will be burned up with needless GPU cycles if you install this “totally free” software.
Unethical and bordering on illegal not to mention this, just FYI.
VanguardLH says
Not all users want *password* protected folders. Some just want protected folder: they are not accessible unless granted access by the user (i.e., whitelisted). The whitelist would have to be protected, like with a hash, to prevent unauthorized alteration. Instead of having to enter a password everytime a protected folder is accessed — which is not possible for scheduled tasks or processes that access the folder while the user is not at the computer — the user would run the program to then get prompted to add to the whitelist. Since everything is blacklisted until whitelisted, there is no need for a separate blacklist. Everything is already blacklisted except for the exceptions (whitelist). Once whitelisted, the user is never prompted again. However, malware can call itself whatever it wants. So the whitelist needs a hash of the process’ memory image to insure only that process by that name has access to the protected folder.
Using passwords is so old-school and extremely coarse for granularity of protection. Instead of having a doorman that regulates only tenants of a building can enter, instead you have a store that either has its doors open or closed to EVERYONE. Once a user opens a folder by entering a password, EVERY process gets access, including and ransomware the user comes across is laying in wait on their computer. Password protected folders is very poor protection.
Jay says
Just discovered Into Windows – I don’t know if I’m entitled to leave questions/comments.
hi all – I’m interested to know the answer to Mark’s question. A folder may be protected on that pc but not on another – and even where a program protects across Windows versions … a folder is not protected in a Mac pc or in Linux – is this correct? I’d love to know which program can lock a folder across all platforms so that it’s truly safe. Anyone know?
thanks – Jay
Mark says
I don’t get something about Anvi Free Folder Locker. After I lock my external hard drive with Anvi on my own PC, suppose somebody takes that hard drive away and connects it to his own PC, will my folders still be locked by the Anvi Free Folder Locker ??
Kurt Koch says
I have tried to download Secretfiles, but they are NOT FREE as stated. Only good for TRAIL-Period.. If I am wrong please tell me Kurt
admin says
Tony Top, thanks for the crucial information.
Tony Top says
The April 2018 Windows 10 update results “Free Hide Folder” to forget your password so any hidden folders or files can’t be accessed.
Mike says
Lock a Folder program allows the user to go into folder properties under security and change access from deny to allow in advanced – you can then access the folder’s content w/o removing the lock…
Yasar says
What About Folder Lock developed by Newsoftwares?
Though it’s paid but is very good. I’m myself using it too.
Thank you for the amazing compilation!
Dave Jones says
Secret Folder does not work on Western Digital My Cloud Mirror. When I locked it, I could still access the folder (and files) without any password protection
Ayyappa says
“Secure Folder” this is also a good software which you need to Try
And thanks for the List
sandip singh says
Great blog. Installed Secret Folder and it is working fine on Windows 10.
First user who commented, that it doesnt work, might be using Bit32 OS, it runs on bit64.
Thanks.
John Gleiter says
The first software SecretFolder simply doesn’t work on Windows 10. It shows the error message “can not be added to the system folder” when adding folders. Useless! Don’t download!
Nazeeh says
thanks. but……. aren’t there simpler softwares that will do this job. i think secret Folder is the simplest in this countdown. but……. i’m just saying
Surya TeJa says
Thanks mate! Loved your tips!