Passwords plus windows 7 password#

Windows contains a built-in way to encrypt files, and ties the password to your user account-so you can only see the files if you’re logged in as the right user. Encryption turns your data into an unintelligible mess unless you have the password. The only secure way to hide your files is through encryption.

Option Three: Encrypt a File or Folder Without Extra Softwareĭifficulty: Easy Level of Obscurity: Low Level of Security: Medium For that, we recommend our next two options. We wouldn’t use it for anything truly sensitive. Anyone who knows what they’re doing (or even stumbles upon this very article) will be able to find your files with ease. Keep in mind that it requires a bit of command line work, so if you aren’t comfortable working with the Command Prompt and dealing with some of Windows’ deeper settings, this probably isn’t for you.Īgain, we can’t stress this enough: this method is still incredibly insecure. You can read more about this process in our guide to making a “super hidden” folder.

Passwords plus windows 7 software#

RELATED: Make a Super Hidden Folder in Windows Without any Extra Software Anyone will still be able to unhide it if they know what setting to tweak, so this method is not secure-but it doesn’t require extra software and may give you a little extra obscurity from tech-unsavvy individuals. Who doesn’t, right? Well, there’s another trick that will let you hide a file with a bit of extra obscurity.

Passwords plus windows 7 how to#

Let’s say your snooping sister already knows how to show hidden folders and files in Windows. Option Two: Turn a Folder Into a Hidden System Folder with a Command Prompt Commandĭifficulty: Medium Level of Obscurity: Medium Level of Security: Low Anyone with the tiniest bit of know-how can easily find them. Remember: this won’t secure your files at all, it will just hide them from view. If you ever need to access it later, you can show hidden files by clicking the View menu in File Explorer and checking the “Hidden Items” box. (in Windows 7, you’ll have to go to Organize > Folder and Search Options and select “Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives” on the View tab instead.) You can read more about showing hidden files and folders here.

RELATED: How to Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 7, 8, or 10 Click “OK” and the folder will disappear from view.Ĭheck out our guide to hidden files for more detailed information on hidden files in Windows. Right-click on it, select “Properties”, and check the “Hidden” box in the menu that appears. Open Windows’ File Explorer and navigate to the folder or file you want to hide. If that sounds like what you want, the process is really easy. RELATED: How to Hide Files and Folders on Every Operating System I only want to see my documents, I don’t need to see my Witcher 3 save files.

Passwords plus windows 7 Pc#

I have, however, found this setting useful for folders I don’t want to see-like the folders my PC games add to my Documents folder. It might fool a small child, but it won’t fool anyone with even passing knowledge of computers. This isn’t very good protection against snoopers, because anyone can show hidden folders with a simple settings tweak. If you’re just looking to hide a couple of folders from view, Windows has a built-in option to do so. So, we’ve rewritten the article with instructions on how to hide and/or password protect files, with information on how secure each method really is. It causes loads of problems for many users who don’t know what they’re doing, and the password does nothing to protect you from snoopers-you might as well just hide the file. You can still find this trick all over the internet, but we do not recommend using it. It involved hiding a folder on your system and using a “password” to unhide it-even though any user could still unhide it without the password. But that trick, while mildly clever, did not actually protect anything behind a password. Got some files you don’t want other people to see? Or maybe they’re just cluttering up your Documents folder, and you want to hide them? Here are a few different ways to obscure your files, and when you might want to use each.Įditor’s Note: This article, originally published in 2014, used to contain instructions that claimed to password protect folders without extra software.