很高兴看到微软(Microsoft)发布Windows 版本(Windows version)，允许用户对包含敏感数据的特定文件夹进行密码保护。但是，在此之前，如果您想保护您的文件夹，则必须使用其他公司创建的软件。虽然这样的应用程序很多，但大多数使用起来并不友好，有些还很狡猾。我们做了一些研究并测试了 20 多个专门用于保护文件夹的程序，包括包含此类保护工具的安全套件。如果您想使用密码保护您的文件夹，请阅读这篇文章，看看(article and see)哪些是最适合这项工作的工具：
1. 锁定文件夹（免费）
LocK-A-FoLdeR是绝对初学者的完美解决方案。它使用一个主密码(master password)，它有一个最小的用户界面(user interface)，它不提供任何你可以摆弄的设置。
选择要保护的文件夹后，接下来要做的就是关闭应用程序。该程序不使用加密，而是对可能尝试访问它们的任何用户隐藏文件夹。要恢复对受保护文件夹的访问，您必须重新打开程序并使用解锁按钮。Lock-A-FoLdeR 的一个好处(LocK-A-FoLdeR)是，为了让您的文件夹保持私密，它不需要任何服务即可运行。它既易于使用又免费。
下载(Download)：锁定文件夹(LocK-A-FoLdeR)。
2.文件夹卫士（商业）
Folder Guard是我们测试过的最好的程序之一。它具有许多功能，并且所有功能都运行良好。您可以使用单独的密码保护文件和文件夹，也可以选择锁定和隐藏它们。界面看起来不错；它结构良好且易于使用。您可以拖放要保护的文件夹，也可以使用树视图(tree view)来选择它们。一个不错的功能是它允许您为不同类型的文件创建过滤器，以便自动保护它们。此外，您可以选择有选择地为在您的Windows 计算机(Windows computer)上注册的用户帐户分配访问权限。
该程序有一个试用版(trial version)，可以使用 30 天。完整版的价格约为 40 美元，您可以选择在使用的第一年升级到任何新版本。此外，它可以在 2 台计算机上使用。第一年后，如果您想升级到较新的版本，您必须为新的许可证付费。
下载：(Download:) 文件夹保护(Folder Guard)。
3.文件夹保护器(Folder Protector)（免费和商业(Free & Commercial)）
该程序使用加密来保护您的文件夹。您所要做的就是启动它，选择要锁定的文件夹，选择密码并按(password and press) Protect。该文件夹是加密的，里面唯一剩下的是一个小的可执行文件，你可以用它来解锁它。您还可以使用程序本身来解锁受保护的文件夹。
该程序免费工作，几乎没有限制。只有在购买价格为 24.95 美元的专业版(Pro version)时，才能将其设置为使用 256 位加密。
下载：(Download:) Kakasoft 文件夹保护器(Kakasoft Folder Protector)。
4.文件夹锁精简版（商业）
Folder Lock Lite是一个结构良好的程序，可让您保护您的文件夹、文件甚至整个驱动器。当您第一次运行该程序时，它会要求您输入主密码(master password)。此密码用于您选择锁定的每个文件夹和文件。(folder and file)然后，您可以将要保护的项目拖放到用户界面。您选择保护的所有文件夹都会立即锁定，并且它们也会被隐藏。除非他们知道您设置的主密码(master password)，否则没有人可以访问它们。
试用版(trial version)允许您使用该程序 30 天。如果你想在那之后继续使用它，你必须以大约 25 美元的价格购买它。
下载：(Download:) 文件夹锁精简版(Folder Lock Lite)。
5. 受保护的文件夹（商业）
该程序易于使用，并具有漂亮干净的用户界面(user interface)。它对您选择保护的所有文件夹使用一个主密码。(master password)要添加要保护的文件夹，请使用添加(Add)按钮，然后选择它们。您还可以将这些文件夹拖放到应用程序的用户界面上。
受保护的文件夹(Protected Folder)提供了几个自定义选项，包括您希望它如何拒绝没有主密码(master password)的用户访问受保护的文件夹。另一件值得一提的是，您必须先提供(thing worth mentioning)主密码(master password)才能卸载此程序。卸载后，所有锁定的文件夹都会自动解锁，从而消除丢失数据的风险。
您可以免费启动和使用该程序 20 次，没有任何限制。在那之后，如果你想继续使用它，你必须每年支付大约 20 美元。
下载：(Download:) 受保护的文件夹(Protected Folder)。
6. Bitdefender Total Security（商业(Commercial)版）
Bitdefender是世界上最著名的防病毒公司之一。他们功能最丰富的安全产品(security product)称为Bitdefender Total Security ，除了(Bitdefender Total Security)反恶意软件和防火墙保护(antimalware and firewall protection)之外，它还提供了一种用于加密文件夹和文件的工具。
Bitdefender Total Security包括Bitdefender File Vault，这是一种可让您在Windows 计算机(Windows computer)上创建私人保险库的工具。保管库是安全的地方，您可以在其中保存敏感文件和文件夹，以免被窥探。它们都是加密的，只有输入您设置的密码才能访问。创建保管库后，向其中添加文件夹或文件所需要做的就是右键单击它们，选择Bitdefender子菜单，然后从Bitdefender File Vault选项列表中选择所需的操作。
Bitdefender File Vault是我们使用过的最好的文件夹保护(folder protection)工具之一，但不幸的是，只有购买了Bitdefender Total Security订阅才能使用它。
下载：(Download: )Bitdefender Total Security。
7. ESET Smart Security Premium（商业(Commercial)版）
ESET Smart Security Premium是(ESET Smart Security Premium)ESET开发的顶级安全产品(security product)。ESET Smart Security Premium是一个强大的安全套件(security suite)，具有许多功能，其中还包括一个用于保护您的文件和文件夹的工具。它被称为安全数据(Secure Data)，它允许您创建加密的虚拟驱动器，只能通过提供您为它们设置的密码来解锁。
您可以在Windows 计算机(Windows computer)上创建多少个加密驱动器没有限制。唯一真正的限制是您在Windows 计算机上的(Windows computer)存储空间(storage space)。
与其他高级安全套件一样，ESET Smart Security只能在订阅的基础上(subscription basis)使用，其中包括安全数据(Secure Data)工具。
下载：(Download: )ESET Smart Security。
8.卡巴斯基全方位安全软件(Kaspersky Total Security)（商业版(Commercial)）
尽管 2018 年对卡巴斯基公司(Kaspersky company)来说并不是一个好年头，但他们的产品仍然是市场上最好的。他们为Windows计算机提供的高级安全解决方案(security solution)称为Kaspersky Total Security，如果您购买它，您可以访问一个名为Data Encryption的优秀工具，该工具可以加密和密码保护您的文件夹。
与大多数反病毒公司选择构建此功能的方式类似，卡巴斯基(Kaspersky)的数据加密(Data Encryption)工具的工作原理是让您创建一个数据保险库(data vault)，然后您可以在其中放置您想要保护的文件和文件夹。完成此操作后，任何不知道您密码的人都无法再访问保险库内的数据。
如果您希望能够使用卡巴斯基的数据(Kaspersky)加密(Data Encryption)工具，您必须购买卡巴斯基全方位安全软件(Kaspersky Total Security)的订阅。
下载：(Download:) 卡巴斯基全方位安全(Kaspersky Total Security)软件。
我们在测试中学到的东西 -必读(Must read)！
我们在测试过程中学到的一件事是，您不应安装多个此类程序。我们遇到了程序相互阻止并且在安装另一个程序后无法访问受一个程序保护的文件夹的问题。我们发现的另一个问题是，大多数此类应用程序在您卸载它们时不会解锁它们保护的文件夹。因此，您可能无法访问您的数据。我们在本综述中推荐的应用程序可以很好地处理卸载过程(uninstallation process)，并且不会给您留下被阻止和隐藏的文件夹。
此外，如果您希望您的文件夹和文件尽可能安全，我们认为我们上面提到的安全套件捆绑的加密工具是您可以做出的最佳选择。最后，如果您知道其他有用的应用程序可以使用密码保护您的文件夹，请不要犹豫，在下面的评论部分中分享它们。
8 tools to password protect your folders in Windows
It would be great to see Microsoft release a Windows νersion which allows users to password-protect speсific folders that contain sеnsitive data. Hоwever, until that happens, if you want to рrotect your folders, you mυst use software created by other companies. Although there arе many such apps, most of them are not friendly tо use, and some are dodgу. We did some research and testеd more than 20 progrаms that specialize in protecting folders, includіng security suites that include such protection tools. If you want to protect your folders using a password, rеad thіs article and see which are the best tools for the job:
1. LocK-A-FoLdeR (Free)
LocK-A-FoLdeR is the perfect solution for absolute beginners. It uses a single master password, it has a minimal user interface, and it does not offer any settings that you can fiddle with.
Once you have selected the folders that you want to protect, all you have to do next is close the application. Instead of using encryption, this program hides the folders from any user who might try to access them. To restore access to your protected folders you have to reopen the program and use the unlock button. A good thing about LocK-A-FoLdeR is the fact that, to keep your folders private, it does not require any services to run. It is both easy to use and free.
Download: LocK-A-FoLdeR.
2. Folder Guard (Commercial)
Folder Guard is one of the best programs we have tested. It has many features, and all of them work well. You can protect files and folders using individual passwords, or you can choose to lock and hide them. The interface looks good; it is well structured and easy to use. You can drag and drop the folders that you want to protect, or you can use the tree view to select them. A nice feature is that it allows you to create filters for different kinds of files so that they are automatically protected. Also, you can choose to selectively assign access permissions for the user accounts that are registered on your Windows computer.
This program has a trial version that works for 30 days. The full version costs about $40 and gives you the option to upgrade to any new version during the first year of use. Also, it can be used on 2 computers. After the first year, if you want to upgrade to newer versions, you have to pay for a new license.
Download: Folder Guard.
3. Folder Protector (Free & Commercial)
This program uses encryption to protect your folders. All you have to do is launch it, select the folder you want to lock, choose a password and press Protect. The folder is encrypted, and the only thing that is left inside it is a small executable that you can use to unlock it. You can also use the program itself to unlock the folders that you protected.
This program works for free with few limitations. You can set it to use 256-bit encryption only if you purchase the Pro version which costs $24.95.
Download: Kakasoft Folder Protector.
4. Folder Lock Lite (Commercial)
Folder Lock Lite is a well-structured program that lets you protect your folders, files, and even entire drives. When you run this program for the first time, it asks you to enter a master password. This password is used for every folder and file you choose to lock. Then, you can drag and drop the items you want to be protected, to the user interface. All the folders you chose to protect are immediately locked, and they are also hidden. Nobody can get access to them unless they know the master password that you have set.
The trial version allows you to use this program for 30 days. If you want to continue using it after that, you have to buy it for approximately $25.
Download: Folder Lock Lite.
5. Protected Folder (Commercial)
This program is easy to use and has a nice and clean user interface. It uses a single master password for all the folders that you choose to protect. To add the folders that you want to be protected, use the Add button and then select them. You can also drag and drop those folders onto the app's user interface.
Protected Folder offers several customization options, including how you want it to deny access to your protected folders for the users that do not have the master password. Another thing worth mentioning is that you cannot uninstall this program without first providing the master password. After it is uninstalled, all your locked folders are automatically unlocked, thus eliminating the risk of losing your data.
You can start and use this program for free, 20 times without any limitations. After that, if you want to keep using it, you have to pay about $20 per year.
Download: Protected Folder.
6. Bitdefender Total Security (Commercial)
Bitdefender is one of the most renowned antivirus companies in the world. Their most feature-rich security product is called Bitdefender Total Security, and one of the things it gives besides antimalware and firewall protection is a tool for encrypting your folders and files.
Bitdefender Total Security includes Bitdefender File Vault, a tool that lets you create private vaults on your Windows computer. The vaults are safe places where you can keep sensitive files and folders away from prying eyes. They are all encrypted and can be accessed only by entering the password you have set. Once you have created a vault, all you have to do to add folders or files to it is right-click on them, select the Bitdefender submenu and choose the action you want from the Bitdefender File Vault list of options.
The Bitdefender File Vault is one of the best folder protection tools that we have used, but unfortunately, you can use it only if you buy a subscription to Bitdefender Total Security.
Download: Bitdefender Total Security.
7. ESET Smart Security Premium (Commercial)
ESET Smart Security Premium is the top security product developed by ESET. ESET Smart Security Premium is a robust security suite with many features, which also includes a tool for protecting your files and folders. It is called Secure Data, and it lets you create encrypted virtual drives that can only be unlocked by supplying the passwords you have set for them.
There is no limit to how many encrypted drives you can create on a Windows computer. The only real limit is the storage space you have on your Windows computer.
Just like other premium security suites, ESET Smart Security can be used only on a subscription basis, which includes the Secure Data tool.
Download: ESET Smart Security.
8. Kaspersky Total Security (Commercial)
Although 2018 has not been a good year for the Kaspersky company, their products are still some of the best in the market. Their premium security solution for Windows computers is called Kaspersky Total Security and, if you buy it, you get access to an excellent tool called Data Encryption, which can encrypt and password-protect your folders.
Similarly to how most antivirus companies choose to build this feature, Kaspersky's Data Encryption tool works by letting you create a data vault in which you can then place the files and folders that you want to protect. Once you have done that, the data inside the vault can no longer be accessed by anyone who does not know your password.
If you want to be able to use the Data Encryption tool from Kaspersky, you must buy a subscription for Kaspersky Total Security.
Download: Kaspersky Total Security.
What we learned during our testing - Must read!
One of the things we have learned during our testing is that you should not install more than one program of this type. We have encountered issues with programs blocking each other out and not being able to access the folders protected by one program after installing another one. Another issue we have discovered is that most apps of this type, do not unlock the folders they were protecting when you uninstall them. Therefore you might lose access to your data. The apps we have recommended in this roundup handle the uninstallation process well and do not leave you with blocked and hidden folders.
Also, if you want your folders and files to be as safe as possible, our opinion is that the encryption tools bundled by the security suites we mentioned above, are the best choice you could make. Finally, if you know other useful apps for protecting your folders with passwords, do not hesitate to share them in the comments section below.
