Users often find themselves in a situation where they need to hide the contents of a folder or file from prying eyes, so the question arises of how to put a password on the folder.
Unfortunately, the developers of the Windows operating system did not provide for such a function as setting a password for separate user files and directories.
The OS can only be configured to prohibit certain users from using or viewing a specific type of directories, files, or programs.
Setting a password for a folder is necessary if:
- you want to hide your files from unauthorized access to them by others;
- want to protect your personal data from illegal copying or distribution.
Put password on archive
Using this method, you can password-protect a folder with any file types, while it is possible to hide the very fact that the archive contains files of a certain format.
The window for entering the code will fly out even before the archive is opened, so it is impossible to find out about its contents if the user does not know the combination. A password for an archive without programs is the easiest way to protect folders.
Advice! The function of setting a password for an archive does not require preliminary installation of additional software, you just need to have preinstalled free WinRAR or 7-ZIP programs.
To add the desired folder to the archive and password protect it, follow the instructions below:
- Right-click on the folder you are interested in and add it to the archive, as shown in the figure;
- Immediately after you have selected the "add to archive" action, a window will appear with various settings for the parameters of the created archive. Go to the tab with additional parameters and find the button for setting a password, it is shown in the figure;
- Click on the button that allows you to set a password.
After this action, a small input window will instantly appear. The new code must be entered twice (to check the correct entry). You can also check the box next to the file name encryption option.
Thus, third-party users will not be able to know anything about the type of hidden files.
The process of setting a password for an archive
After trying to open the archive, we see that first you need to enter the code and only then you can view and edit its contents.
This method of installing the code is the simplest and most effective. However, to implement it, you will need one of the archivers on your computer.
Also, if the code is forgotten or lost, restoring the contents of the archive will become a rather difficult task for the user. That is why you should keep a backup copy of the protected files, for example, on the cloud storage.
In the above way, you can also password-protect the archive on a USB flash drive.
Using PasswordProtect USB
On the Internet you can find a huge amount of third-party software that can cope with the task of installing code on the system object you need.
A large proportion of such programs, unfortunately, can harm your files, and not protect them from unauthorized access by other users.
This article presents the most popular and common types of software that have been tested by a large number of users, so these programs will not harm your computer and files that need to be password protected or hidden.
This program is available for download and installation on a PC and is compatible with Windows 10.
PasswordProtect USB allows you to password-protect folders and remove previously set encryption. The application has an intuitive user interface, so working with this utility will not be a difficult task for the user.
You can start the process of installing the code not only using the main program window, but also using the computer desktop.
After you have installed this software on your operating system, the installation function will be displayed in the menu of each folder, you just need to right-click on it, as shown in the figure:
- The next step is to enter the code in the window that opens. Enter it twice to eliminate the possibility of error.
- After installing the code, a sign will be displayed on the folder icon, which indicates that the folder is protected. When you try to open a password-protected folder, this dialog box will appear. In this way, most often they put a code on folders with photos.
Folder Lock Software
This program is able to protect a folder on a laptop or PC. Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10. The utility encrypts the folder itself, without a file.
You can put the code on a folder with absolutely any content: with files, with photos and documents.
To install it to a folder using this program, follow the instructions:
- Download and install Folder Lock;
- Enter the password in the text field, which will be the password for the folder;
- Click OK;
- Drag the required folder to the main program window or use the "add" icon;
- after the folder has been added, it instantly becomes locked and only a person who knows the password can open it.
Put a password on a network folder
You can also password-protect the network folder. You can also download separate programs for this, for example:
You can also use the program Folder Guard(
Many PC users are worried about their data and want to protect their account. Then they have a question how to put a password on a computer. Today we will consider this issue in detail.
What the password gives
Probably, the question immediately arises whether there is any point in protecting your account. Of course have. For example, if you have many users at home, and there is only one computer, it is definitely worth creating their own account in the system and putting a code so as not to interfere with each other and leave all important files safe.
However, it must be borne in mind that this is not the best protection, and it is easy to get around it. In search engines, you can find many solutions for how to log into a password-protected Windows account.
Set a password
Now, in fact, let's move on to how to put a password on a computer step by step. We will look at the example of two operating systems - Windows 7 and 10. They are very popular in recent years.
Windows 7
Let's start with a younger version of the Windows operating system. It is easy to install a security code on it:
Here's how to set a password on a Windows 7 computer. The instructions are pretty simple, and even a teapot can handle it.
Windows 10
Now let's write down instructions on how to put a password on a Windows 10 computer:
Find out the Windows password
Some are interested in how to find out the password set on the computer. You cannot do this, but you can reset the security code.
Resetting the password for Windows 10
To do this, we need a flash drive with the recorded distribution of this operating system. If it is, then:
- Boot from a USB drive.
- In the installer window, click "System Restore".
- A window with various actions will appear. Click on "Diagnostics".
- There you need to choose "Extra options".
- Next, click on "Command line".
- Then you need to make a copy of it. To do this, enter the command copy D: \\ Windows \\ system32 \\ cmd.exe D: \\ Windows \\ system32 \\ sethc.exe / Y.
- A message will then appear notifying that the file was copied. You need to reboot the system.
- Now you need to press the key about 5-6 times SHIFTwhen the OS asks for a code.
- In the opened command line, write net user admin2 / add.
- Then we register net localgroup Administrators admin2 / add to make the new account an administrator.
- After that, you need to restart the computer system and log into Windows through the second account and delete the code on the old one.
In our age of information and modern technologies, the protection of personal data should take an important place in the life of every person. Each of us is already used to setting a password on a smartphone, but rarely does anyone create a password for a PC. And it’s in vain, because through a computer, for example, through a browser and its history, you can find out a lot of information about us and not only find out, but also use it against us. This is why it is important to password protect your computer. In this material about how to put a password on a PC... All instructions will be given for the most popular Windows 7 platform today.
How to put a password on a PC: ways
Strictly speaking, there are only two ways to create a password for a computer - the first: by setting a password for a personal account, the second: by using the BIOS lock. However, before telling how to use these methods to set a password on a computer, we will make a small digression and briefly tell you what an account and BIOS are, so that, when creating a password, you still understand what we are dealing with.
- What is a user account?
Each computer, even if it is called personal, is designed for autonomous use by several users. Any user can create and configure their own account and customize it to suit their needs, including setting a personal password.
In simple terms, a personal account is the ability to create several different interfaces on one PC, each of which will be optimally tailored to the needs of a particular user.
- What is BIOS?
BIOS is a special program embedded into the motherboard that is loaded on our PC even before the system boots and instructs the system with which parameters it needs to boot. After we press the PC power button, the BIOS is loaded first of all, and only then, if all BIOS settings are correct, the operating system starts loading. You can read more about what BIOS is in our material - "".
How to make a password on a computer by creating an account password?
In order to set a password on a computer, after passwording an account, follow these instructions:
1. Click on the "Start" button, click on the "Control Panel" item.
2. Opposite the "View" parameter, set the value "Small icons", then click the "User accounts" item.
4. In the "New password" column we set the secret combination, in the "Password confirmation" column we repeat the password.
If desired, in the "Enter a hint for the password" column - specify a hint, but keep in mind that any PC user can view the hint, so it should only very subtly hint at your password, and not give it out with giblets.
5. Press the button "Create password".
6. Everyone! The account is password protected.
Now let's check if the password has been saved, for this:
1. Click on the "Start" button, click the arrow after the "Shutdown" button.
2. In the drop-down menu, select the line "Change user".
3. As you can see, we are required to enter a password, and if the input is incorrect, we are given a hint.
How to make a password for a computer using BIOS?
In order to set a password on a computer using the BIOS, first of all, you must, of course, enter the BIOS. How to do this, read in detail in the article "How to open the BIOS" (link above).
When you find yourself in BIOS, follow these instructions:
1. Click the Security tab.
2. Find the Set HDD Password column, click Enter and enter the desired password twice.
3. Save your changes.
Now, when you try to turn on the PC, you will see an inscription like this.
To remove your password:
1. Go to BIOS.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Find the Set HDD Password column, click Enter.
4. In the Enter Current Password column, enter the set password, and the Enter New Password and Confirm New Password columns must be left blank. To do this, press Enter twice and save the changes.
How reliable is BIOS protection?
At first glance, it seems that the password set in the BIOS is a very serious measure, but if the user who wants to access your PC is advanced and knows that all BIOS settings can be reset just by removing the battery from the motherboard, it becomes clear that this is not true.
Of course, in order to pull out the battery, you will have to open the system unit, but who will stop in front of such, in fact, not a very difficult matter if he wants to get access to important information.
Outcome
So, now you know how to put a password on your PC and you can choose which method of protection you prefer. For greater fidelity, no one forbids using both methods. We hope your data will be safe and inviolable!
That's right, first you need to come up with it!
But before you start setting a password, you need to come up with one. It is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Experts do not advise using the user's first or last name as a password, as well as other personal information. Also, do not use the words Password, Login or NetPassword, which some users like so much. All of the above options are unsuitable because when hacked, attackers or special virus programs try these combinations first. It is also desirable that the password be complex, that is, it combines both alphabetic and numeric characters. The total length of the Windows password must be at least 6 characters.
Ideally, the password should be some kind of abstract concept or definition that has nothing to do with the user's biography or occupation. One of the easiest ways to come up with a strong password is a random one, remember the first one that comes across and add today's day of the month to it.
You can set a password on your computer yourself through the control panel
So, to set a password, click on the Start button. Next, select the Settings item, in it - Control Panel. In the newly opened window, click on the User Accounts section. To set the password on your computer correctly, select your computer account and click the Create password button. A menu with two blank lines appears on the monitor. In the first, you need to enter the password, in the second, confirm it.
Once you have done this, click on the Create Password button located at the bottom of the menu. The password will be generated automatically. Then restart your computer.
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- how to put the code on the computer
There are several types of passwords that can be installed on a computer. They provide protection for individual menus or completely prevent the possibility of changing the parameters of the PC.
Instructions
First, set a password for all users who are registered in the operating system. Pay special attention to accounts with administrator rights. Log into the operating system using any account. Open the control panel and go to the "User Accounts" menu.
Select Create a password for your account. Enter the same combination of numbers and letters twice and specify a word that will be a hint for you if you forget your password. Click the "Save Password" button. Repeat this procedure for all other accounts.
Now restart your computer and enter the BIOS menu. To do this, press the Delete key at the beginning of the computer startup. Highlight Set bios password and press Enter. Enter the desired combination twice. It is advisable to use Latin letters. Highlight Save & Exit and press Enter. The presence of this password will prevent unwanted changes to the computer settings.
Setting an access password is the basis of any security system. If more than one person has access to the desktop, questions arise about protecting personal life, business information, protecting system settings from unwanted interference.
So how do you put a password on your computer? Depending on the operating system, modifications of the motherboard, there may even be several passwords at different levels of input to the computer.
Setting a password on Windows XP, Windows 7, 8 and 10
Let's say this is a situation. Several people use the computer, including small children or simply irresponsible persons. Then not only personal data needs to be protected, but also all installed programs.
You don't want to get into a situation where you urgently need to print a document, start your PC, and someone has deleted your favorite word processor. A new installation will take precious time.
Or the opposite situation. Besides you, the computer is used by a fan of experiments with downloading and installing new programs from the Internet. What is fraught with such a hobby?
You can catch a serious virus, ransomware banner and even completely destroy the operating system. To protect against all of these accidents, different accounts and different levels of system management are assigned to users of the same desktop.
For example, the Administrator has the right to do absolutely everything on the computer. Less authorized users are assigned lower-level rights, of which they can only use a certain set of programs and their documents. Such a user cannot change anything in the system.
Assigning user accounts
- Click Start
- Find Control Panel
- Go to User Accounts
- Create or change an account, while giving it a password
If you are a computer manager, assign rights to each partner according to his level of computer literacy and mental maturity.
In Windows 10, there is another way to change your password. You need to open “Start”, then “Settings”, then “Accounts”. If you already have an account, but it does not have a password, you can add a password on the Login Options tab. You can also change your old password to a new one.
What if I lost my password?
There are several options:
- Reinstall the operating system completely. This is an extreme option.
- You can just log into the system in safe mode and reconfigure everything. To do this, press the F8 button before starting the computer boot. The login methods menu will open. Select a secure login. Next, according to the previous algorithm, configure academic records and set a new password.
BIOS
Even more powerful security protection. The computer will ask for a password even before the operating system starts loading. Here, no newcomer will go inside.
There is nothing complicated about installing on BIOS either. While the computer starts to boot, press Del or F2 several times and the BIOS settings will open. Look for Security or BIOS Setting Password - depending on the system, this may vary.
Now set the password and save the new settings with the F10 key. What to do if the password for entering the BIOS is also lost? This issue is even easier to solve. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet, open the system unit and pull out the small battery on the motherboard for a while. As a result, the Bios installations will return to the factory ones.
How to put a password on a mobile computer
And if you want to password protect your Android tablet from prying eyes? There is nothing complicated here either.
- Touch the gear sign with your finger and you will be taken to Settings.
- Look down the points. Look for Security. Enter security settings.
- There you will find about the same settings as on Windows XP - setting up academic records, encrypting device logins with a password.
- Follow these steps, and after that, each time you start the tablet, you will have to enter the access password.
How can I reset the password on an Android device in this case? There are 2 ways:
- Enter the password incorrectly 5 times. A window will appear to enter your Google account credentials. After entering them, you can recover your password. If you do not even know this data, then you will have to follow the second path.
- We'll have to do a complete rollback of the entire system to factory settings. Read the description in the article
Do not be afraid that after reinstalling the system, all your favorite applications will disappear. Log in to your Google account and the system will automatically tell you which apps have been installed on Google Play. True, it will be costly for your internet traffic.
How to set a password on iPad
- Open Computer Settings.
- Find the item General - General.
- Select PasscodeLoсk.
- Now assign a password.
- Turn the password into action - Turn Passcode On. And don't forget to remember or write down your new password!
