What are the available options for password protecting a folder? I'm talking about requiring a password to actually access the folder, not just user access rights. Is the third-party software out there secure and stable? What are the recommendations?
How to Password Protect a Folder in Windows
file-permissionspasswordsSecuritywindows
Best Answer
My Lockbox™ is security software enabling you to password protect any folder on your computer.
The protected folder (lockbox) is hidden from any user and application of your system, including Administrator and System itself. It is impossible to access the lockbox, not only from the local computer, but also from the net.
The program is extremely easy to use. You can set the lockbox location and the password during the setup procedure. After the setup is done, lockbox will be hidden and locked until you enter the valid password.
Folder Lock is a Windows program to encrypt or password protect files, folders, removable drives, partitions, USB sticks, etc. In encryption mode it uses the strong 256-bit AES encryption algorithm to encrypt objects on the fly. In lock mode files, folders and drives are not encrypted, but protected with a password.
Folder Lock is shareware ($39.95), try before you buy.
TrueCrypt and FreeOTFE are powerful (and free) alternatives, but it might be an overkill for what you have in mind. They don't encrypt separate folders, but rather an entire filesystem (either a file-based "volume" or a whole disk).