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Adding password protection to files like PDFs, ZIPs, or Excel documents is a great way to keep them safe. But here’s the catch—you have to secure each file individually… or do you? Well, you can simply place all your sensitive files in one folder and make that entire folder password-protected instead. Let us show you how it’s done.
Contents:
How to password-protect a folder on a Mac
To password-protect a folder on your Mac, you’ll need to convert it into a disk image file. It’s easy to do with the built-in Disk Utility app. Just follow these steps:
Go to the Applications folder and open the Disk Utility app.
In the top menu bar, click “File” and select “New Image,” then choose “Image from Folder.”
Select the file or folder you want to password-protect.
Choose the encryption algorithm—we recommend using 256-bit AES encryption.
Create a password for your folder.
Click the drop-down menu under “Image Format” and choose “Read/Write.”
Click “Save” and wait a few moments for the app to create a disk image.
NOTE: Your original folder will still be on your device. Make sure you can access your encrypted files, then feel free to delete the original folder.
How to password-protect a folder in Windows
Adding password protection to a folder in Windows isn’t quite like password-protecting a document or an image. In most cases, you’ll need to install extra tools to get it done. Here’s how it works.
Using tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip
WinRAR and 7-Zip are two of the most popular tools for compressing, encrypting, and password-protecting files and folders in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The steps for password-protecting a folder are pretty similar for both tools and go like this:
Install the tool—either WinRAR or 7-Zip.
Right-click on the folder you want to protect and select “Add to archive.”
Choose the archive format: ZIP or RAR for WinRAR, ZIP or 7z for 7-Zip.
Set a password for your folder.
Choose the encryption method.
Click “Ok” to create the archive.
Delete the original folder (optional).
Why do I need to use additional software?
Unlike macOS, Windows does NOT have a built-in feature allowing users to add password protection to their folders.
The closest option is the Encrypting File System (EFS), which encrypts your folder and makes it accessible only through your Windows user account. However, it’s not the same as password protection, and an encrypted folder can’t be shared with other users.
So, if you’re looking for true password protection—with encryption—you’ll need to go for third-party software like the ones we’ve mentioned.
What’s the difference between password protection and encryption?
The key difference between password protection and encryption lies in how they secure your data.
Password protection is all about locking your data behind a password. If someone doesn’t have the password, they can’t open or view the data—simple. However, the data itself isn’t hidden or changed in any way, so if that person has the right hacking tools, they could bypass the password mechanism and gain access to it.
Encryption takes things further. It scrambles your data into a coded format that can’t be read without a dedicated decryption key. So, even if someone gets their hands on the encrypted data, they won’t be able to make sense of it without that key.
Of course, the best way to protect your data is to combine these two methods. Tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip on Windows, and FileVault on macOS, don’t just lock your files with a password—they also encrypt them, usually with strong standards like AES-256. Here’s how it works: your password is used to create an encryption key, which scrambles (and unscrambles) the data. This means your files are both locked and encrypted, making it nearly impossible for anyone to access them without the correct password.
What if I forget the password to my folder?
If you forget the password to a protected folder—especially one that’s encrypted—there’s no safety net or hints to jog your memory. In most cases, you won’t be able to access your files. While this might seem strict, it’s designed to ensure your data stays secure, no matter what. However, you can make sure you’re never locked out of your folders by storing your passwords in NordPass.
NordPass keeps your passwords, passkeys, credit card details, and other sensitive info in an encrypted vault, protected by the top-tier XChaCha20 cryptography standard. It works across all platforms and browsers, ensuring you can easily access your passwords whenever you need them. All you need to remember is your Master Password—the key to your NordPass vault.
And it doesn’t stop there. NordPass offers many useful features that can further enhance the security of your folders and overall online safety. For instance, if creating strong, complex passwords is tricky for you, NordPass can generate them on the spot and automatically save them securely in your vault. It can also identify weak, reused, and exposed passwords in your vault to help ensure you have full control over access to your data.
Sounds good? Give NordPass a try and see how it can level up your online experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I access a password-protected folder?
It’s very simple. Just locate the password-protected folder on your device, double-click on it if you're on Windows or Mac (or tap it if you're using a mobile device), enter the correct password, and that's it! Once you've entered the right password, the folder will open up, letting you access and interact with its contents.