3 Tips to Encrypt Folders without Extra Tool in Windows 10

By Michael | Last Updated January 03, 2024

Want to prevent others person from viewing your private folders in Windows 10? Maybe you need to encrypt folders without extra tools in Windows 10. Three tips are illustrating in the tutorial below.

How to Clean Encrypt Folders in Windows 10

Clean encrypt folders, as the name implies, you don't need to install any extra tools or applications to encrypt folders. Here are the details:

• Tip 1: Encrypt folders by setting up a Text Document
• Tip 2: Encrypt folders via compressing it
• Tip 3: Encrypt folders through BitLocker in Windows 10

Tip 1: Encrypt folders by setting up a text document

Step 1: In a blank space, right-click and setup new Text Document as the image below.

Step 2: Double-click the new Text Document then copy and paste the codes below in it. Look for PasswordHere and type your password to replace it.

cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Private
if EXIST "HTG Locker" goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure to encrypt the hidden Private file？(Y/N)
set/p "cho=>"
if %cho%==Y goto LOCK
if %cho%==y goto LOCK
if %cho%==n goto END
if %cho%==N goto END
echo Invalid choice.
goto CONFIRM
:LOCK
ren Private "HTG Locker"
attrib +h +s "HTG Locker"
echo Folder locked
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter the password to unlock the folder：
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%== PasswordHere goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "HTG Locker"
ren "HTG Locker" Private
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Private
echo Private created successfully
goto End
:End

Step 3: At the top-left corner, click File Save as.

Step 4: Type "locked.bat" in the box next to File name. Select All Files to save.

Step 5: Double-click on the locked.bat file to run it. Then you will find it creates a folder named Private.

Step 6: Move folders you want to encrypt to the Private folder and launch "locked.bat" file again.

Step 7: When you see the "Are you sure to encrypt the hidden Private file？(Y/N)" show in the CMD window, type Y for Yes or N for No. Hit Enter key to close the window.

Step 8: The Private folder now is being hidden. Run the locked.bat file once again, a password requires before opening the Private folder. Hit Enter then the folder will show up again.

Tip 2: Encrypt folders via compressing it

You can encrypt the folders after compressing when you have fewer folders.

Step 1: Right-click on the folder you want to encrypt and navigate to 7-Zip > Add to archive.

Step 2: Under Archive, rename the folder. In the right pane, input password and tick the "Encrypt file names" in the Encryption part. You can go to the Options section and check Delete files after compression.

Step 3: When you want to open the compression file, right-click and select 7-Zip Open archive. Input password to continue.

Tip 3: Encrypt folders through BitLocker in Windows 10

If you want to encrypt a large number of folders or the entire disk folders, the built-in Windows 10 BitLocker will be a good choice.

Note: If you meet any problem of using BitLocker, refer to Allow BitLocker without a Compatible TPM Windows 10.

Step 1: Open This PC on your desktop.

Step 2: Choose the Drive, right-click on it and select Turn on BitLocker.

Step 3: Check Use a password to unlock the drive and enter a password in the box.

Step 4: Choose how to back up your password in case you forget it.

Step 5: Here you need to encrypt the entire disk or used space only.

Step 6: In this step, you'd better select New encryption mode. When tapping on Next, your drive will be ready to encrypt.

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