How to Lock a Folder Using a Batch File

Do you have items you want to keep hidden on your computer? Creating a locked folder using a batch script is a fun and easy way to hide files in low-stakes situations that don't require files to be encrypted. This How.com.vn teaches you how to create a locker folder using a batch file.

Steps

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1
Open Notepad. Notepad has an icon that resembles a blue notebook folder. Use the following steps to open Notepad:
- Click the Windows Start Menu.
- Type "Notepad."
- Click Notepad.

How.com.vn English: Step 2 Copy the following batch script.

The batch script is in the box below. Highlight the entire script. Right-click it and click Copy, or press "Ctrl + C." The script is as follows:^{[1]XResearch source}

  cls@ECHO OFFtitle Folder Lockerif EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCKif NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER:CONFIRMecho Are you sure you want to Lock the folder (Y/N)set/p "cho=>"if %cho%==Y goto LOCKif %cho%==y goto LOCKif %cho%==n goto ENDif %cho%==N goto ENDecho Invalid choice.timeout 1goto CONFIRM:LOCKren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"echo Folder lockedtimeout 3goto End:UNLOCK@echo offset "psCommand=powershell -Command "$pword = read-host 'Enter Password to Unlock folder' -AsSecureString ; ^    $BSTR=[System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::SecureStringToBSTR($pword); ^        [System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::PtrToStringAuto($BSTR)""for /f "usebackq delims=" %%p in (`%psCommand%`) do set password=%%pif NOT %password%==TYPE_YOUR_PASSWORD_HERE goto FAILattrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Lockerecho Folder Unlocked Successfullytimeout 1goto End:FAILecho Invalid Passwordtimeout 1goto end:MDLOCKERmd Lockerecho Locker created successfullytimeout 5goto End:End

Go back to your blank Notepad document. Right-click at the top of the page and click Paste, or press "Ctrl + V" to paste the code into Notepad.
Locate where it says "TYPE_YOUR_PASSWORD_HERE" in the script. It's about three-quarters of the way down. It's in the line that starts with "if NOT %password%==".
5
Save the document as a batch file. Use the following steps to save the Notepad document as a batch file:
- Click File.
- Click Save as.
- Click the drop-down menu next to "Save as type."
- Select All files (*.*).
- Type a file name in the File Name field (i.e. LockedFolder).
- Type ".bat" at the end of the file name (I.e. LockedFolder.bat).
- Click Save.
Once you are finished saving the Batch file, you can close Notepad.
Navigate to where you saved the batch file in File Explorer. Double-click the batch file to run it. This will create a new folder called "Locker" in the same folder as the batch file.
You can move objects into the folder by dragging and dropping them, or you can copy and paste them into the folder.
A Command Prompt will open. It will ask you if you want to lock the folder.
The Locker folder will disappear from the folder. This indicates it is locked.
11
Unlock the folder. When you want to gain access to the folder again, use the following steps to make the Locker folder reappear:
- Double-click the batch file to run it.
- Enter the password you input into the batch file before you saved it.
- Press the Enter key.

Community Q&A

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Question
How do I re-lock the file?
Community Answer
Double-click the file again. It will ask for a password. Enter the password, and you're done!
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Question
How do I reset the password?
Community Answer
Right-click on the .bat file. After doing so, click 'edit.' You can change the code through this.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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Question
My folder will not re-lock when typing Y. What do I do?
Community Answer
Are you sure you're typing everything correctly? What Windows version are you using?
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Thank you for your feedback.
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Tips

Set the batch file attribute to "hidden" so it will not show up in a standard File Explorer window. You will need to set File Explorer to show hidden files and folders to view the batch file.
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For a more robust method of password protecting folders, try using Axcrypt, Windows Bitlocker. Bitlocker is available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Axcrypt is a third-party encryption program that works on all versions of Windows.
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Warnings

Programs like 7zip File Manager will be able to access the folder.
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Do not rename the file after it is secured. It will no longer be protected.
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Windows Search could find it the hidden folder.
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Be aware that anyone who can access the batch file can edit it in Notepad and find out the password.
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