Windows: protect your files and folders with a password

Do you have sensitive or confidential documents stored on your PC? To prevent them from being exposed to third parties, one of the best solutions is to put a password on your files and folders so that only you have access to them.

How to password protect files in Windows?

If your computer runs the Windows Pro, Windows Enterprise, or Windows Education version as the operating system, you have at your disposal an exclusive function that allows you to encrypt documents. To access it, do the following:

1. Open File Explorer from the Windows taskbar
2. Find the file or folder you want to protect by encryption
3. Right click on said element to display the options menu
4. Go to the Properties section
5. Go to the General tab and press the Advanced Options button
6. Check the box next to Encrypt content to protect data
7. Press Details and create a digital certificate with the access password
8. Press the OK button to close the Advanced attributes window
9. Select Apply and then select OK to finish.

In case your PC works with the Windows Home version, then this encryption option will not be available. Therefore, the simplest and fastest alternative to password-setting folders and files is to use a third-party program.

One of the most popular and reliable is WinRAR, which can be downloaded for free through its official website. When you have it installed on your device, follow these steps:

1. Access File Explorer from the Windows taskbar
2. Locate the file or folder you want to password protect
3. Right click on said content to display the options menu
4. Select the Add the file option to open the WinRAR panel
5. Press the button Set password and enter a password
6. Touch the OK button to save the changes.