We all have computer files we'd like to keep secret from the world. Fortunately, in Windows 10, you can tuck those unmentionable plans or files in a secret folder that is password protected, and you can do it without buying any additional software. A note before you start: We've recieved comments about issues people have run into with this how-to. So, we went back and performed multiple rounds of testing internally, and can now confirm that following this process closely, step-by-step, should work. Just to be safe, try it out once using a file that isn't important, so you can make sure it works for you. Also, yes, the FolderLocker file can be reverse engineered by someone who understands the process, but this isn't meant to keep tech-savvy folks out, just nosy family members who you don't trust. Here's how to create a folder that you can fill with files you want to keep secret, lock it, open it and repeat. How To Lock a Folder With a Password in Windows 10 1. Right-click inside the folder where the files you want to protect are located. The folder you want to hide can even be on your desktop. It doesn't matter what the file will be named. You can delete this text file once the lockable folder has been made. Double-click the text file to open it. The Locker folder has been generated. Fill the Locker folder with the items you want to protect. Open the FolderLocker file, because it's time to lock that folder up. Click Enter, and the Folder Locker window will disappear, along with the Locker folder itself. Enter the password you entered in Step 8, and click Enter. The Locker folder is back. You can open it to find your hidden files. Repeat Steps 17, 18 and 19 to lock the folder again. Avery Says: I'm adding this to my previous comment which is below : Do not use the method described in this article. If you're trying to protect a folder, and you don't really need to edit the stuff can you password protect a zip file there, use 7-Zip. All you have to do is make an archive in 7-Zip, and there will be an option to password protect the archive. If you want to protect something you edit a lot, make a virtual drive, make a partition, format the partition, protect the partition with BitLocker, and then mount the partition to a folder. It just can you password protect a zip file the name and makes it a hidden folder if you dont hide the contents inside the folder you can still search them out this is literally nothing. It'd be better to just hide the files inside a program file.