Folder Lock Windows 10: Encrypting Folders with Advanced Permissions

In today's increasingly connected world, keeping sensitive data secure is more important than ever before. As we generate vast amounts of information daily across multiple devices, protecting our personal files becomes a top priority. One effective method to achieve this goal is by using folder lock software that offers advanced features such as encryption and password protection.

Windows 10 users can benefit from utilizing built-in NTFS (NT File System) permissions to create highly secure folders. In this article, we will walk you through the process of encrypting and locking a folder in Windows 10 using these advanced settings.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Ensure Your Folder is on an NTFS Drive

Before proceeding with the steps below, it's essential to verify that your target folder resides within an NTFS formatted drive. To do this:

- Right-click anywhere inside File Explorer.

- From the context menu, select 'Properties.'

- In the Properties window, click on the 'General' tab.

If you don't see 'NTFS' mentioned under 'File system,' your desired folder is likely located in a different file system like FAT32 or exFAT. To rectify this situation:

1. Right-click on the drive letter (usually C: for local drives) and select 'Properties.'

2. In the Properties window, click on the 'Security' tab.

3. Click on 'Edit' at the bottom of the Security window.

Now that you've confirmed your folder is indeed located within an NTFS partition, let's move onto encrypting it using advanced permissions:

Step 2: Create a Folder and Apply Permissions

1. Navigate to the desired location in File Explorer where you want to create your new encrypted folder.

2. Right-click anywhere inside this directory (not on any existing files or folders) and select 'New' from the context menu.

From here, choose either 'Folder' or 'Library,' depending on whether you prefer a traditional folder structure or one that includes additional features like custom icons and preview thumbnails:

* Folder: Selecting this option will create a standard NTFS folder without any advanced attributes.

* Library: Choosing this option creates an empty library, which can then be populated with folders and files of your choice.

Regardless of the choice made above (Folder or Library), proceed as follows:

3. Right-click on the newly created folder and select 'Properties.'

Step 3: Apply NTFS Advanced Permissions

In the Properties window that appears, navigate to the 'Security' tab:

1. Clicking here will bring up a new dialog box titled 'NTFS permissions for 'Folder Name'.'

This is where you can configure advanced access control settings for your folder:

- Owner: The user who created this object has Full Control over it by default.

- Group or User Names with explicit Permissions:

* Here, add any additional users or groups that should be granted Read/Write permissions to the selected folder. To do so, click 'Add' and enter their respective usernames (in NT format; e.g., 'JohnDoe') followed by clicking OK.

- Permissions Inherited from Parent: If checked, all subfolders within this one will inherit these same permission settings automatically upon creation.

To apply the changes:

1. Click on Apply at the bottom left corner of the dialog box to save your modifications without restarting Windows 10.

2. To make these permissions permanent and ensure they persist even after a system restart or shutdown:

* Uncheck 'Apply these permissions recursively' under 'Group or user names' section in step above before clicking OK.

Step 4: Finalizing Folder Lock Settings

Your folder is now protected with advanced NTFS permissions, making it difficult for unauthorized users to access its contents without the correct credentials. To further enhance security:

1. Right-click on your encrypted folder and select 'Properties.'

2. In the Properties window that appears under 'General' tab, uncheck both boxes next to 'Hidden,' as well as those labeled 'Read-only.'

3. Finally, click OK to apply all changes.

Congratulations! You have successfully locked a folder in Windows 10 using NTFS advanced permissions and encryption techniques.

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