Password-Protecting Folders

[Caeli]

Is it possible to password-protect individual folders on my computer? That is, someone would need a password to access content in those folders.

I use Windows 7 Home Premium.

[Autumn Sativus]

This quick tutorial might help.

[Misty Zephyrs]

There are some programs for file and folder encryption here.  Look under Security Software < Encryption Software. One I found is called PixelCryptor.  Be sure to read the Editors' Review.

There are also some programs available here.  Look under Security Tools < File and Folder Protection.

[jaybee55]

I've been using TrueCrypt for years.  It's especially nice because it's open source, and can be used on Linux, Windoze, and OSX, BSD, etc.  Rather than encrypt a "folder" it lets you create a fully encrypted container file of a given size, anywhere you want on your hard drive, and use that file as a separate device (in Windoze it shows up as a hard drive).  It's also very difficult for someone to tell that your container file is a TrueCrypt volume.  The encryption is VERY strong, and the software provides some additional security features as well.

In addition to the container file method you can also encrypt entire devices or partitions (as long as they don't need to be bootable).  Like an entire flash drive for example, or a separate partition on your hard drive.