With the help of the free Anvide Seal Folder program, you can hide one or several folders at once on your computer. With this program, you can easily make a hidden folder in order to protect your confidential data from prying eyes.
The hidden folder will be invisible to the computer user, and he will not even know that there are such folders on the computer. Hidden folders can only be accessed by the computer user who created such protected folders himself.
Documents and files are placed in a folder in order to then hide this folder or protect the folder with a password. An easier way to protect important information is to put a password on the folder to protect the contents of the folder from external intrusion.
You can put a password on a folder using archiving programs or, or put a password on a Word document.
In this case, the archive or document itself will be visible on the computer. It will only be impossible to open it without knowing the password.
Therefore, in many cases, it will be better to hide such a folder altogether so that it does not appear in the operating system. The question of how to hide a folder on a computer can be answered in this way: for this you need to use a special program that makes hidden folders invisible.
Anvide Seal Folder to encrypt folders
In this article, I will show you how to hide a folder on your computer using the free Anvide Seal Folder (formerly called Anvide Lock Folder). This small free program is designed to protect hidden folders with a password.
The folder hidden in Anvide Seal Folder will not only be invisible, in addition, the hidden folder will be password protected. The program added the ability to encrypt.
The portable version of Anvide Seal Folder does not require installation on a computer and runs from the folder. The program can be located on a computer or on removable media. Anvide Seal Folder does not have to be kept on all the time, the application can be launched as needed.
When using Anvide Seal Folder, you will need to enter passwords for the folders you want to hide. You will need to use a password that you will not forget, otherwise you will then not be able to open hidden folders, and therefore gain access to hidden folders.
Write down the password you come up with somewhere, and then save it in a safe place.
To securely create and remember passwords, I recommend that you use a special program - a password manager. When using a password manager, you only need to remember one password, and the rest of the passwords will be stored in this program. A good option would be to use a freeware program.
If you do not use a program for creating passwords, then try to come up with a password that you will never forget (the name of the cat, the name of the neighbor, etc., you can enter such a password on the English keyboard layout).
If you have forgotten the password that you put on the folder in this program, then in this case, write to the author of the program, maybe he will help you solve the problem.
Anvide Seal Folder can be downloaded from the official website of the developer of this application.
Anvide Seal Folder download
After downloading the program, you will need to install it on your computer if you will use the version intended for installation. In the case of using the portable version of the program, it will be necessary to unpack the archive using an archiver, or using the Windows operating system tool.
The portable version of the Anvide Seal Folder program is launched from the folder. To launch the application, you will need to click on the file named "ASF".
Anvide Seal Folder interface
Once launched, the main Anvide Seal Folder program will open. All control elements of the program are clear from the visual images. On the top panel there are buttons for managing the program: "Password for entering the program", "Add folder", "Delete folder", "Close access", "Open access", "Settings", "Information about the program", "Help" , "Go out".
You can go to "Settings" (wrench icon) and customize the program to suit your requirements. I used the default program settings.
At the very beginning of work, you will need to enter a password to enter the program. The password for use in the program must be at least 4 characters long.
After entering the password, the entrance to the program will open, you can start using this application.
How to hide a folder in Anvide Seal Folder
In the Anvide Lock Folder program, you can hide not only a new, but also an existing folder, which you will need to hide, with the exception of system folders.
In order to put a password on a folder and hide it, you will first need to add the folder to the program window. To do this, click on the "Add folder" (Plus) button. In the Explorer window, you will need to select the folder that you want to make invisible.
In the given example, I have selected the "Movies" folder located on one of the drives on my computer. After selecting a folder, you will need to click on the appropriate button. This can be done in another way: just drag the folder you want to hide with the mouse into the Anvide Seal Folder window.
In the next window of the program, you should click on the button with the "Close access" icon (Lock).
In a new window, you can set a password hint (this is optional, at your discretion). This hint may come in handy in the future if you forget the password that is required to open this folder.
The folder disappears from view in Explorer, in the place where it was located before it became hidden. The program window will display hidden folders that have become invisible on your computer.
After the folders are hidden, you can close the program.
How to show hidden folders in Anvide Seal Folder
If, after a while, we need a hidden folder again, you can easily open access to it. After that, this folder again became visible and accessible to all users of your computer.
In order to open access to the hidden folder, you first need to launch the application, then you will need to enter the password in order to open the Anvide Seal Folder program window.
After that, the closed folder is visible again in the same place. In a similar way, in the Anvide Seal Folder program, you can hide several folders at once, putting your password on each folder, or setting the same password on all hidden folders, if it is more convenient for you.
If you are going to reinstall Windows, do not forget to open access to hidden folders that are located on the disks of your computer, in order not to lose access to important information later.
Conclusions of the article
Free program Anvide Seal Folder can hide user folders on his computer, hidden folders will become invisible. Thus, with the help of this application, the safety of confidential user data will be ensured.
The problem of protecting confidential data when working at a computer always remains relevant. It is safe to say that most users have information that they would not want to share with others. This can be important financial or business documents, or personal information. In any case, if you do not take care of the security of this data in advance, then it is quite possible that it is completely accidental or as a result of deliberate actions that may not fall into the eye of anyone. This is especially often the case when several people are working at your computer or it remains turned on unattended. Therefore, we want to acquaint you with the most accessible methods for solving this problem, both with built-in Windows tools and with the help of special programs.
Encrypting files and folders with EFS
The easiest way to prevent unauthorized access to your data is to use the built-in encryption tool EFS (Encrypting File System). It provides "transparent" work with encrypted files and folders, that is, you do not need to perform any additional actions with them. To activate EFS, select the appropriate checkbox in the file or directory properties. The entire contents of the encrypted directory will be classified, and any file or folder added to it later will also be protected from unauthorized access. Thus, you can safely hide your data from other users of your computer.
BitLocker and Applocker
The BitLocker function, available in the "older" versions of Windows 7 / Vista, allows you to protect data by fully encrypting the hard drive, and it can be used on both the system and regular volumes. The BitLocker To Go option can help keep information stored on portable devices such as external hard drives or USB drives private. BitLocker is enabled through the appropriate tool in Control Panel.
Applocker is a Windows 7 feature that is designed to restrict the launch of certain applications. It is managed through Group Policy for power users and administrators.
Special programs
Free Hide Folder | www.cleanersoft.com/hidefolder
Free program to hide folders from prying eyes. It is less than 1 MB in size and works in all versions of Windows. Using the utility does not cause any difficulties - you just need to specify the folders you want to hide in the main window and click the Hide Folder button. When you start Free Hide Folder for the first time, you will be asked to enter a password that prevents you from changing settings and showing your secret directories. This way you can hide an unlimited number of folders and the files they contain. In addition, the utility allows you to create backup copies of your data.
Folder Lock | www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock
Folder Lock is designed to encrypt files and folders. The program contains a whole set of tools that serve to maintain secrecy, and has an unusual interface in the form of a bank safe. To save your data, the utility creates special encrypted vaults called Lockers. You can put as many files and folders as you like there and protect them with a password. Folder Lock also knows how to restrict access to a USB drive or CD, has a hidden mode of operation, and monitors hacking attempts.
Easy File Locker | www.xoslab.com
Easy File Locker runs on Windows 2000 / XP / Vista and boasts a miniature size of only 300 KB. It allows you to protect confidential files and folders in such a way that unauthorized people cannot open, read, modify, move or copy them. Such files / folders will be invisible to all users and programs, even when booting in safe mode. You can add data using the standard file selection dialog or simply by dragging and dropping them into the main program window, after which a dialog will appear with the password and privacy options.
My Lockbox | fspro.net/my-lockbox
My Lockbox is used to hide and password protect folders on your hard drive and can be installed on any version of Windows, including 64-bit. Even at the installation stage of the program, you will be asked to specify the location of the protected directories and enter a password, and after the installation is complete, access to them will be limited. Protected folders are managed in the My Lockbox Control Panel, which is opened using a shortcut in the main menu of the system or by a hotkey. Basic functionality is provided free of charge, but there is also a more advanced Pro version for money.
WinMend Folder Hidden | www.winmend.com/folder-hidden
WinMend Folder Hidden is a free utility for protecting files and folders. Knows how to quickly and safely hide data on both local and removable media. At the same time, access to encrypted information cannot be obtained from another operating system and even when the hard drive is connected to another computer. The program settings indicate the folders and files that need to be protected, and set the password. The utility has a multilingual interface and allows you to change the view using color schemes.
TrueCrypt | www.truecrypt.org
This program is open source and available for Windows 7 / Vista / XP as well as Mac OS X and Linux. It allows you to create a special encrypted space that appears in the system as a separate logical drive. TrueCrypt can also fully encrypt a hard drive partition or USB drive. Distinctive features of the utility are reliable encryption algorithms, a double-hide mechanism (in case you are forced to issue a password under duress), portability, encryption of system partitions, support for hotkeys for mounting encrypted disks, etc.
Many people often have to deal with confidential files that should be carefully encrypted and hidden from prying eyes. This is why iObit's Protected Folder production program is so popular. The company has long been renowned for speeding up and optimizing personal computers, and Protected Folder is one of its best products.
The essence of the program is locking files and folders password to avoid theft or leakage of information. Main advantages:
- Simplicity in use.
- Safe concealment information. Files or directories cannot be deleted, modified, read, executed, or viewed.
- Protection confidentiality.
- Pleasing to the eye design.
An already well-proven product on the market differs from competitors by more deep protection sensitive data, even if something went wrong with the computer software. The good support service is also good news: you can solve any problem related to this application literally in a matter of minutes.
Attention! At the end of the article, you can download a free key to the Protected Folder program.
How to install the app
To start the installation process:
Protected Folder interface overview
It should be noted that iObit Protected Folder, possessing such high-quality and effective functionality, does not mislead the user with a huge set of incomprehensible parameters. Everything is extremely simple:
How to use iObit Protected Folder
The application is very easy to use. In fact, you only need to specify the element to be blocked. Folder Password Protect will do the rest itself. Let's take a closer look at the whole process:
Removing an application
The standard procedure is used to uninstall the program:
- Go to Control Panel
- Find the section - uninstall programs or programs and components, depending on the system version
- Find Protected Folder in the list and start deleting.
Attention!!! Before uninstalling, you should unblock all encrypted files and directories, because at the moment of uninstalling the program, for security reasons, all encrypted files are deleted.
Protected Folder PRO
You can, of course, use the application for free without any problems, but still it is impossible not to mention the paid version.
You can buy a license directly on the website by clicking on the orange button “ Buy now”, After which you will be able to obtain a license code for Protected Folder Pro. Its cost is also shown here - 599 Russian rubles. It features premium support and deeper optimization to protect files, even in the event of an attack ransomware viruses... It is also a great way to support developers who care so much about users.
In addition, on our website you can download a Protected Folder license key for 20 users, which will be valid for 3 months: 7D4C5-17195-14B7A-22FB9.
Folder Lock is software that allows you to protect and encrypt important confidential data on your PC. In addition, the utility provides the ability to encrypt and information on removable drives, optical media and electronics.
Using this application, you can quickly and conveniently hide confidential data in directories or set a password on them. Hidden data is not shown through Explorer or file managers. When you try to go to a password-protected disk, an error notification will appear on the screen.
In addition to data on a PC, the application allows you to hide and protect information on removable drives, laser media and electronic devices.
The data hidden with this utility is not shown when using the "Show hidden files and folders" option, which the standard tools cannot boast of. You can download the program absolutely free of charge to ensure the protection of personal information.
How the program works
To start working with the program, you need to register a password that will be used to access the application interface or make changes to it. The drag-and-drop function allows you to easily transfer directories and files that need to be locked.
The utility's capabilities include encrypting files and folders, storing important information in the "cloud" on the site, protecting data on USB drives and laser media, as well as saving passwords from bank accounts, and more. In addition, the utility has a function that can turn off the PC after a while if no action is taken.
Features:
The utility allows you to save personal data in the "cloud" on the manufacturer's website. In addition, it is possible to encrypt e-mail messages along with attachments. The utility also makes it possible to create wallets to store credit card data.
In addition, the computer is automatically locked if there is no action for a certain period of time. If you enter the password incorrectly, all connected equipment may be disconnected.
Advantages and disadvantages
The utility protects information on flash drives and portable drives. In addition, you can set a password for access to files, folders and disks. The program uses drag and drop technology. Thanks to its simple and user-friendly interface, it is quite easy to work in the application. In addition, you can download the program absolutely free.
Of the negative aspects, it is worth highlighting the absence of the Russian language in the menu. In addition, the trial version can be run only 20 times.
All in all, Folder Lock is a great utility, very useful and easy to use. She is able to protect confidential data and hide it from prying eyes. It is recommended to download this application for those who are concerned about the security of their data. The program is supported by all Windows operating systems.
However, you can only run the application for free 20 times. To be able to use it in the future, you need to buy a license key. You can also resort to the help of a similar development Wise Folder Hider. It is a simple and free utility that has similar capabilities.
You need to download the application from the manufacturer's official resource or a reliable source, which will allow you to be able to protect confidential information on your computer. In this case, it is required to activate the protective measures of the computer, which will prevent viruses from entering the operating system.
You are probably already familiar with FolderSizes, a Windows-based application that helps you monitor and to rule space on hard disk... It is paid, but if you just want to find out what is taking up space on your hard drive, then you do not need to give your money, there is a free solution for this!
You can download Folder Sizeby going through. The installer is approximately 268 KB in size (I personally tested the 32-bit version). Now let's take a look at the pros and cons of the Folder Size app:
PER
- application freeand small size.
- Convenient for managing hard disk space.
VS
- Popups only allow you to open folders.
- Application functions limited only the sizes of folders / files. The app could offer such important features as a duplicate file detector and disk cleaner.
What are people saying about Folder Size?
This small tool is used by many users who like to quickly and easily view the size of files and folders on their computers. Some users consider this software usefulbecause they are not happy with the view ExplorerWindows, which does not display detailed information about the size of files and folders. Others love the simple user interface and responsiveness of the app. Many also reported that Folder Size helps them monitor and manage more efficiently. hard disk space.
However, I also found testimonials from several users who did not like the functional style of the app at all as pop-up windows. They argue that if the program could be integrated into Windows Explorer to add other information besides files / folders, then the application would be more practical.
Using Folder Size
After a quick download, install the Folder Size app on your computer. Installation also won't keep you waiting long.
The application starts immediately after installation. You will see its icon in the taskbar.
When opening a folder or hard drive, the application automaticallyopens pop-upwindow in the upper right corner and shows content listinside the folder / disk, as well as their sizes.
It's that simple.
Inside the pop-up window, double click on any folder icon. This will open the folder in a separate window. You cannot open files from pop-up windows.
Settings
Right click on the program icon on the taskbar and the configuration options will appear on the screen.
If you deselect the ‘Show Folder Size popups’ option, you will no longer see the file / folder size pop-ups. There are also options to configure how the program starts and exits.
Output
Despite the fact that Folder Size offers very basic functionality for managing disk space, I still hope that developers will expand this functionality and the usability of this application in the near future.
Have you ever used Folder Size or similar applications? What do you think of them? Share your experience with us in the comments section. Happy calculations!