Note: This program is intended for convenience rather than strict, enterprise-style security. It provides an easy way to password-protect folders from casual access without having to set up multiple users on Windows.
A simple utility to protect your folders on Windows using a custom .wflck extension. WinFolderLock integrates directly with the Windows context menu, allowing you to easily lock and unlock folders.
WinFolderLock compresses and encrypts target folders into .wflck files. This tool ensures that without the proper password, the contents are kept hidden from casual snooping. The key used for encryption is additionally protected by the built-in Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI) for the current user.
Use at your own volition, backup important files before locking them away. I haven't run into any problems while testing, but that doesn't mean you won't.
Made with the help of GitHub Copilot.
- Context menu integration: Right-click on a folder to lock it or on a
.wflckfile to unlock it. - Temporary Unlocking allows temporary access to a folder, automatically re-locking once you're done.
- Permanent Unlock restores the folder to its regular unencrypted state.
Administrator privileges are required to install and uninstall this program.
Extract the folder and run the WinFolderLock.exe to open the installation wizard.
Follow the steps in the application wizard to install. This registers the required context menu entries and places application files into C:\ProgramData\WinFolderLock.
To uninstall, run the wizard again; it will prompt you for the uninstallation and permanently unlock all locked folders properly, cleaning up after itself.
- Right-click on the folder you wish to protect.
- Select Lock Folder.
- You will be prompted to create or enter a password.
- Once completed, your folder is compressed, encrypted, and replaced with a
.wflckfile.
If you quickly need to access your files:
- Double-click or Right-click on the
.wflckfile and select Unlock Folder. - Enter the password you used to lock the folder.
- WinFolderLock creates a temporary session folder and opens it in Windows Explorer so you can work on the files.
- Important: Once you close the Windows Explorer window(s) associated with that folder, WinFolderLock automatically saves any changes, re-encrypts the folder, and replaces the temporary access.
If you no longer need protection on a folder:
- Right-click on the
.wflckfile and select Permanent Unlock. - Enter the correct password.
- The original folder is fully restored, and the
.wflckfile is deleted.
Note: Passwords mapped to locked folders are kept track of securely per local session at C:\ProgramData\WinFolderLock\passwords.json.