Lock / Unlock Folder Without Any Software in Windows

Lock Folder Without Any Software:

We always use some 3rd party software to protect our local folders, and these 3rd party software will help us to create password for our folder and make it secure.

There are few disadvantages using 3rd party software:

1. There might be Virus or spy in 3rd party software
2. If this software is trial version, we may end up without unlocking our folder

3. Software may contain some threats or other malware which may harm our computer.

4. We always have to rely on this software and re-install again in case we are formatting out PC

Good news is, Now you can protect folder without using any 3rd party software by using Batch file Programming. This trick will work on all windows platform. Below are steps to lock your private folder.

Step 1. Open Notepad (Win+R > Type "notepad" > press Enter)

Press Windows key + R (Win+R) > Type "notepad" > press Enter

Step 2. Copy given code in Notepad

cls
@ECHO OFF
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST MyFolder goto MDMyFolder
:CONFIRM
echo Are you sure to lock this folder? (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 MyFolder "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
echo Folder locked
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter password to Unlock Your Secure Folder
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%== techlib goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" MyFolder
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDMyFolder
md MyFolder
echo MyFolder created successfully
goto End
:End

Step 3. Save Notepad file as .bat file

             Go to File  >  Save as

             Select "All files" in Save as option

             Give file name: Protect.bat (Extension .bat is must to be added)

Step 4. Create Secured Folder using bat file (which you have create earlier)

             Double click on Protect.bat and that will create a new folder as shown below

Copy all your secure data/file inside newly created Folder.

Step 5. Lock Folder

Secure folder with a password. Simply double click on "Protect.bat" file which will ask you to lock this folder like below

Enter “Y” and press Enter to Lock your Folder and secure.

Congratulations, Now your Folder is Hidden and protected. You have protected your folder without using any software.

**Make Sure you have turned off show hidden files in folder option.

Now, you definitely need to understand the process of Unlocking this folder, and retrieve your information back.

Unlock Folder Without Any Software:

Unlocking your folder is pretty simple. You simply need to enter default password when prompted.

Note down, default password to unlock folder without using software is “techlib”

Double click on Protect.bat and it will prompt you to enter password to unlock your protected folder.

That’s it, your folder is back to visible mode. You can now work on your data and re-protect them as and when needed.

Bonus Trick to change Password:

Open Protect.bat file in notepad and search for %pass%== techlib and then change "techlib" with your password.