Almost every computer user keeps files that are personal,
private and confidential, or important to be preserved as undeletable. It is
especially important if you have a shared computer, which can be accessed by
other family members, roommates, friends, or coworkers.
You may have files that are inappropriate for kids or
other family members, or files with valuable information that can be stolen.
Such files and folders need security protection so that intruders or
unauthorized users cannot access, read, view, copy, move or delete them.
The important information will also be hidden from
unauthorized access if your computer is lost or stolen.
In this post, we will present 5 freeware utilities, which
will allow you to hide folders on your computer without been expert in PC
security.
Note that these utilities are mostly recommended for home
and personal use, while top secret commercial information may need to be
secured with more elaborated encryption.
Wise Folder Hider
Wise Folder Hider is a freeware designed to hide your
personal folder(s) or file(s) in your PC or in removable devices, when you are
able to protect your privacy with passwords through easy steps.
Main features:
* Wise Folder Hider is a completely freeware with all functions
operational, updates and basic technical supports available to all users.
* Only with a few simple clicks can you hide your private
and sensitive data like docs, photos, videos, folders, etc.
* Mechanism of Two-Tier-Passwords makes the hiding safe
enough: one password to log in and the other one to hide and unhide the data.
* You can simply drag and drop a file/folder into Wise
Folder Hider. This feature is available in Win8/7/Vista OS (only when UAC is
disabled) and XP OS.
* You can hide files/folders by right-click without
opening Wise Folder Hider. You will be able to access/unhide these files or
folders when you log in WFH.
* Wise Folder Hider can hide the entire Flash Drive as
well as the folders and files in it.
Free Folder Hider
Free Folder Hider can hide and password-protect your
files, folders, pictures, and documents in seconds.
Note that this program only hides the folders, and does not
encrypt the files, so you do not need to worry about lost files because of forgetting
the password or Windows system crash.
Main features:
* There are two ways to hide a folder. Click the
"Add to..." button at program main form, and then choose the folder
you want to hide. Or, you can choose and hide a folder from Windows Explorer.
* The hidden folders information are stored in the
"Private Folders list", you can hide and unhide them.
* You can batch hide or unhide all folders in the
"Private Folders list".
* If a folder is no longer need to be hidden, you can
remove it from the "Private Folders list".
* If you need to format the hard disk or reinstall the
Windows system, please remember to first unhide all hidden folders.
My Lockbox
My Lockbox enables you to hide, lock and password protect
almost any folder on your computer.
Main features:
* Extremely easy in use;
* Clear and convenient user interface available in more
than 10 different languages;
* Hotkey combinations for basic actions;
* Instant data protection with no limits on size of the
protected data;
* Password protection for locked data and program
uninstall;
* Free edition limitation: protects one folder with
unlimited number of subfolders. Professional edition protects unlimited number
of folders;
* Supports all modern Windows operating systems (XP,
Vista, 7, 8) including 64-bit editions;
Instant and safe online password recovery;
* Trusted processes feature lets backup, antivirus or
similar software to backup or scan your protected folder;
* Protects folders even in Windows safe mode;
* Renaming upper-level folder would not reveal protected
files;
WinMend Folder
Hidden
WinMend Folder Hidden is a free file/folder hiding tool.
While ensuring the absolute system safety, this application can quickly hide
files and folders on local partitions and/or on removable devices. The hidden
files/folders will be safely hidden whether the drive is accessed in another
operating system on the same computer or reinstalled on another computer. You
can set a password for this application. Hidden data can be displayed and
unhidden only when the user enters the valid password. The data is completely
invisible to other programs or on other operating systems.
Hide Folders
Hide Folders is robust and powerful Windows application
for hiding folders with private data. Hidden folders cannot be accessed,
viewed, searched or deleted. Other users will not be aware of their existence.
There are no limits on number of folders to hide or on the file types, names,
extensions or characters. Hide Folders is released under GNU General Public
License and is free for personal and commercial use.
Main features:
* Securely hide folders with your confidential data
* Works on Windows XP and Windows Vista, supports NTFS,
FAT32 and FAT file system.
* Password protection - folders can be unhidden only
after entering a password within the program.
* Hidden folders cannot be uncovered by deinstalling the
program.
* Unlimited number of folders can be hidden.
* Folders are hidden even in Windows safe mode.