How To Password Protect Folders

Sometimes it becomes necessary to password protect your computer's information from prying eyes, to do that you'll need to learn how to password protect folders on your PC. Using password protection on folders to protect your documents and programs is a good idea, especially if you are dealing with confidential information or trying to block usage from unwanted users. 

What you'll need:

• a PC running Windows Vista
• folders on that PC which contain documents

1. FInd the folders. Navigate to the folders that you wish to password protect in Windows Vista.
2. Close the files.  Close any files or programs that the folder may contain, then close the folder itself if you have opened it.
3. Right click. Right click on the folder, then choose properties. Choose the Security tab. In this tab, you will have the option to add groups or users and to change the permissions for those users. To edit permissions in order to deny access, click the checkmark to deny users control of the folder. To add users or groups, click the Edit button, on the next screen, click Add and proceed to add the user or group. When you are finished, click OK. Be sure to give yourself full control of the folder before clicking OK.
4. Password now required. After you click OK, you will have successfully denied access to the folder for users other than yourself. Now, in order to access that folder and the contents of that folder, you must be logged in to your Windows Vista user account with your username and password. Others will not be able to access the folder you have password protected without your user credentials.