UPDATE: Since some people are having problems with this method of hiding a folder in XP (folder renamed incorrectly, displayed in command line, etc.), I am adding at the bottom another way to hide the folder permanently with a program called Free Hide Folder Scroll down to read about it.
If you stumbled across this page looking for a free way to create a password protected, safe, hidden, or locked folder in Windows XP, you’ve come to the right place. Unfortunately, Windows XP does not have a handy built-in tool for creating protected folders on computers with multiple users. You can of course encrypt the data on your hard drive, but that only helps if your computer is stolen.
In a previous post I wrote about how you can hide a folder in Windows XP using a rudimentary built-in function. This method is useful when you want to hide a folder or file and are absolutely sure that anyone using a computer will not understand how to unlock the data. If you are dealing with someone a little more experienced with computers, there is another way to create a secure locked folder without having to buy third-party software. This only works on Windows XP, not Windows 7 or Windows 8.
This basically involves using a script to convert the folder to something completely different so that it is still visible, but nothing inside the folder is available. To view the data, you need to run another script to convert it back. Anyone who clicks on the folder will be taken to the control panel and just think it’s a shortcut. Another cool feature of this little trick is that none of the files or folders inside the hidden folder will show up when you search in explorer.
Note. Before trying this on some really important sensitive data, make sure you create a test folder with fake test data to make sure it works correctly. Since we tinker with the internal structure of the folder, this can lead to data loss if not done properly.
Here are the steps to create a secure folder in Windows XP:
- First, create a folder that you will use to store your sensitive data. For example, I created a Fonts folder at the root of my D drive. Since the hidden folder will take you to Control Panel, it is better to name the folder as one of the programs inside it.
- In the same place where you created the new folder, create a new file in Notepad, copy the information below into it, replace Fonts with your folder name and save it like lock.bat.
ren Fonts Fonts. {21EC2020- 3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
- To save the file as a .bat file in Notepad, simply enclose it in quotation marks, for example “lock.bat” and click “Save”
- You should now have a bat file named lock in the same directory as the Fonts folder, not inside the Fonts folder.
- Create another NotePad file, enter the following details listed below and save it as key.bat.
ren Fonts. {21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} Fonts
- Now you have lock.bat and key.bat along with the folder. Go ahead and double click on lock.bat and your folder will turn into a control panel and nothing inside will be visible. Clicking on it will simply take you to the Control Panel. You will notice that the icon should have changed as well.
- To view the data inside your folder again, click on key.bat, and your the folder will return to normal! Pretty simple!
Of course, storing the key.bat file in the same folder won’t protect the folder, so it’s best to move the key.bat file to a different location, or better yet, put it on a USB stick or CD that only you have access to.
Most people will probably look at the folder and just ignore it since it has a control panel icon and a link directly to it. Of course, if someone knows this trick, they can create their own key.bat file, etc. and open its backup. However, if you are dealing with someone who can do all of these, your best bet is to try a more advanced third party software to lock the folder.
ALTERNATIVE METHOD:
If you are having trouble with the above method (from what I can see from the comments, a lot of people are), then here is another quick and free way to create a safe folder in Windows XP. There is a very good program called Free Hide Folder by Cleanersoft that makes it easy to hide your private folders.
Your folders are completely hidden and you have to enter a password to open the program in order to display the folders. The personal version is free, just click the “Skip Registration” button if you are not using it commercially.
I tried this program myself and cannot access the hidden folder via windows explorer or command line. So if the above method doesn’t work, give it a try! Have questions, leave a comment. Enjoy!
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