How to put a password on windows 10

If you share a computer with others, you might have a need to keep some documents confidential. There are several ways to do this, depending on which version of Microsoft® Windows® your computer is running. If you're unsure which Windows system your computer is running, read here for more information.

Table of Contents Show

How to password protect a folder
Windows 8 and Windows 10
Zipped folder
How to hide a folder
Windows 7, 8, and 10
To Add Password to your Local Account in Settings app
To Add Password to any Local Account in Control Panel
To Add Password to any Local Account in Command Prompt
How do I put a password on my Windows 10 computer?
Can I put a password on a Windows 10 folder?

You should always set up an account for each person who shares a single computer. This helps everyone access the programs and data that they want.

How to password protect a folder

Using a password to protect a folder means that you need to enter a password to see the list of documents in the folder. You can also password-protect individual files either in a password-protected folder or in a folder without password protection. The procedure is the same for files and folders.

Windows 7

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to password-protect. Right-click on the folder.
Select Properties from the menu. On the dialog that appears, click the General tab.
Click the Advanced button, then select Encrypt content to secure data. Click OK. Your Windows username and password will be used.
Double-click the folder to ensure you can access it.

3 Type a New password, type the password again to Confirm password, type a Password hint, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

4 Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

5 If you would like to add security questions to be able to use to reset your password on the Sign-in screen if needed, click/tap on the Update your security questions link. (see screenshot below)

6 You can now close Settings if you like.

To Add Password to any Local Account in Control Panel

You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the User Accounts icon.

2 Click/tap on the Manage another account link. (see screenshot below)

3 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

4 Click/tap on a local account (ex: Brink2) that you want to change or remove the password of. (see screenshot below)

5 Click/tap on Create a password. (see screenshot below)

6 Type in a new password and password hint, and click/tap on Create password. (see screenshot below)

7 You can close the "Change an Account" Control Panel if you like.

8 Be sure to remember to let the local account know their new password.

To Add Password to any Local Account in Command Prompt

You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

1 Open an elevated command prompt.

2 To see a list of names for user accounts on the PC, type net users in the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

3 Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

net user "UserName" "Password"

Substitute UserName in the command above with the actual user name of the local account within quotes from step 2 above that you want to add a password to.

Substitute Password in the command above with the actual password within quotes you want to add for the local account.

How do I put a password on my Windows 10 computer?

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options . Under Password , select Change and follow the directions.

Can I put a password on a Windows 10 folder?

It is not possible to use Windows to password-protect a folder in Windows 8 or Windows 10. You will need to download third-party software or use a zipped folder. If you elect to use third-party software, be sure you download it from a reputable source.