text: How do I password protect my files and folders in Windows?\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nQuestion:\n\nHow do I password protect my files and folders in Windows?\n\nAdditional Information:\n\nIf you're wanting to simply password protect your Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel documents see document CH000748. \nSee our password dictionary definition for additional information about passwords as well as related pages and definitions. \nSee our encrypt dictionary definition for additional information about encrypt as well as related definitions. \nAnswer:\n\nTip: Before password protecting any document you may wish to create a backup of the non-password protected folder and files in case you forget the password in the future.\n\nThe majority of Microsoft Windows operating systems do not come with a method of password protecting your sensitive files and/or folders. If you're using Microsoft Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, you will need to download or purchase a third-party program to password protect your files and folders in Windows; skip down to the other security solutions section if you're using one of these operating systems. \n\nMicrosoft Windows XP professional users\nMicrosoft Windows XP home users\nOther security solutions for protecting your files and folders in Windows\nThings to remember when encrypting or password protecting files and folders \n\nMicrosoft Windows XP professional users \n\nThe below steps for encrypting the files on Windows XP professional applies to users who are using a computer that has different accounts. If you're using a single account for all users who use the computer you will need to see the below other security solutions section. \n\nSelect the folder you wish to encrypt. \nRight-click the folder and click Properties. \nClick the Advanced button. \nCheck "Encrypt contents to secure data" option. \nClick Ok. \nEncrypt contents to secure data is grayed out \n\nThis will be grayed out if you're using the home edition of Microsoft Windows XP. See the below steps for securing the contents of your folders in Windows XP home. \n\nShow "Encrypt" on the context menu \n\nThe newest version of TweakUI also enables you to show the Encrypt option in the context menu. To do this, follow the below steps. \n\nOpen TweakUI. If you do not have TweakUI you can find additional details about getting and installing TweakUI in document CH000141. \nIn the TweakUI window, select Explorer \nIn the right side of the window under Settings, locate "Show 'Encrypt' on context menu" and check the box. This option should be below "Prefix 'shortcut to' on new shortcuts" and above "Show 'View workgroup computers' in NetPlaces". \nIf you're missing this option, see document CH000711 for additional information.\n\nMicrosoft Windows XP home users \n\nSelect the folder you wish to encrypt. \nRight-click the folder and click Properties. \nClick the Sharing tab. \nCheck the box Make this folder private \nMake this folder private is grayed out \n\nIn order for this option to work in Microsoft Windows XP home you must meet the below requirements. \n\nThe hard disk drive must be formatted in NTFS and not FAT32. Additional information about determining the type of file system your hard disk drive is running can be found on document CH000713. \nThe folder you're attempting to encrypt must be in your own personal folder. For example, if your name is bob, you must be encrypting a folder that is or that is contained within the below folder:\n\nC:&#92;Documents and Settings&#92;Bob&#92;\n\nYou cannot encrypt any folders outside of this folder. If you wish to encrypt outside this folder see the below other security solutions. \nOther security solutions for protecting your files and folders in Windows. \n\nFile and folders not frequently used \n\nIf you need to password protect fil