How to Hide Folders for Free and Secure in Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista
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8 January 2018 Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Summary
Hiding folders/files could be a good solution to prevent from unauthorized access to your private or sensitive data. Here, let’s go through the methods provided on the Internet.
Some users will set password for their Windows account to prevent from others access. However, sometimes it is not enough. Colleagues, children or your partner sometimes will want to use your computer for a while. Besides, remote control is very common in business. Under these situations, set password for account is not enough.
However, some solutions provide on the Internet is not secure enough or easy to be crack. Let us go through them one by one.
Method 1: Use Hidden Folders in Properties
Security:★☆☆☆☆
Convenience:★★★☆☆
In fact, this folder hidden method is with low security.1. Any one who login your account can easily make the operation to show all the folders you hide.
2. The crack operation is simple and easy to make.
Method 2: Hide and Lock Folder with Bitlocker
Security:★★★★★
Convenience:★★☆☆☆
Although Bitlocker is quite secure, it is only available in Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 8 Pro. Besides, the operation is a little complicated.Method 3: Hide Folder with Renee File Protector
Security:★★★★★
Convenience:★★★★☆
Different from the hidden function in file properties, Renee File Protector hides files and folders via modifying the file system driver, which will not be shown even if you make the show settings in Windows.Method 1: How to Hide Folder with Folder Properties
How to Hide Folder
Step 1: Right-click target folder. And click “Properties” in the menu.
Step 2: Check “Hidden” in Properties Window. And then please click “OK”. You folder will disappear automatically.
How to Show the Hidden Folder
Step 1: Hit “Win” and “E” button, please click “Organize” -> “Folder and search option”. (Here is the process in Windows 7). If you are using Windows 10, the “Folder and search option” could be found in “File” item.
Step 2: Please check the 3 items which has been marked with red in the picture. And click ok.
Step 3: Then all the hidden folders will be shown in every disk.
Hide folders with this method is not secure at all? Click here for a simple and safe solution!
Method 2: How to Hide and Lock Folder with Bitlocker
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type diskmgmt.msc into it, and press Enter.
Step 2: Click “Action” on the tool bar and then select “Create VHD” in the menu.
Step 3: Enter the desire size and select location of the VHD file.
Please note that the size of this VHD files must be 64 MB or larger. Or the Bitlocker won’t work.
Step 4: The new created disk will appear as another disk in Disk Management. Please right-click the disk and initialize the disk.
Step 5: Select partition style of the VHD disk.
If you are using Windows 10/8.1/8, please choose GPT option. If you are using Windows or would like to be able to mount and access the VHD file in Windows 7, please chose MBR instead.
Step 6: Right-click the unallocated space of the VHD disk and follow the wizard to create a new simple volume.
Step 7: Then the VHD will be shown in File Explorer. After putting the target folders inside, please right click the disk and turn on Bitlocker for it. Then please follow the Bitlocker setup wizard to lock the drive.
Step 8: To access the encrypted VHD file, please open Disk Management and select “Attach VHD” in “Action”.
Step 9: Please enter the password in the pop up window and then the hidden files will be shown inside the disk.
Although this method is safe, it is a little complicated and too annoying? Maybe method here can help you hide target folder in a simpler and more secure way!
Method 3: How to Hide Folder with Renee File Protector
Preparation before hiding folders:
Download Renee File Protector and install it.
The first time you use Renee File Protector, you will be required to set your master password and the email address.
What to do if you forget the master password after setting? Click to get more about how to find the master password back.
Step 1: Launch Renee File Protector. Click “Hide File” in “Hard Disk”. Then please click “Hide Folder” on the right side.
Step 2: Select the folder and then click “OK”. Then the folder will be hidden automatically.
Step 3: If you want to access the hidden folder, please turn on Renee File Protector and check the target one in “Hide File” in Hard Disk. Click “Show”.
Step 4: After editing the files inside, you can check the folder in the list and click “Hide” again.
Besides hiding folders, Renee File Protector could provide more protection to your data:
- Lock folders/files in local disk with password.
- Lock folders/files in external memory devices with password.
- Password protect folders/files in shared folders to assure the correct people get the data.
- Safe delete the data you select without trace.
- …
Compatibles with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP.
