Folder Lock 7 How Tos

Folder Lock offers the 'Lock Files' feature, which is a quick way to password-protect your files. Folder Lock uses Kernel-level locking mechanism which Locks and/or hides your files. This helps keep your files protected even when someone tries to access them from Windows, DOS prompt, or Safe Mode.

It enables you to Lock your personal and confidential files and folders and protect your data from unwanted users or from prying eyes. Lock Files enables you to either lock and/or hide files, folders, and drives without the need to move them to a Locker. Items that you lock, hide, or lock and hide remain that way even in Windows Safe Mode. Later, you can simply go to 'Lock Files' and enter a correct locking password to unlock and unhide your files

'Locking' in Folder Lock refers to the process of protecting your files, folders, drives, and even programs by putting a protective lock on them. With the 'Lock' feature in place, any file, folder, drive, or an EXE program file that you have 'Locked', will be instantly hidden and/or locked from access (depending on user settings).

Locking your files, folders, drives, and programs with Folder Lock is a breeze, and the program has been developed so that all processes are run on-the-fly and behind the scene.

Step 1

Before you can start Locking your files, folders, drives, and programs with Folder Lock, you will need to run Folder Lock and enter your Master Password that you have set during the installation.

A Master Password is a user-selected password or passphrase that a user sets when he/she first installs Folder Lock. As a result, ALL administrative rights to the program will belong to the user with the Master Password. Please remember that ONLY the Master Password holder can use the Lock Files feature.

You will have the option to enter your password using the Virtual Keyboard available. The Virtual Keyboard allows you to enter your password without the fear of your password being hacked into by a Keystroke recorder or Keyloggers.

Once you have entered the password to access your Locked files, click 'OK' to continue to the Locked files list.

Step 2

Once you access the Lock Files feature, you will enter a main window showing a list of Locked files.

Please note that this Locked files list will be empty if you are entering the Lock Files feature for the first time. You can add files, folders, drives, and even program .EXE files to the Locking list.

Once you enter the Lock Files list window, you can start adding your data for Locking. You can also add your files, folders and drives by dragging them anywhere from your computer and dropping them into the program window. As soon as the selected item is dropped, it gets listed in the Locked items and the security setting of Locked and Hidden will both be applied to the items by default.

Step 3

To add your files, folders, and drives to the Locking list, click on the 'Add' button on the top menu. You will then be given a pull down menu with options to add your files, folders, or drives.

To add a File to the Locking list, simply click on the 'Add File(s)' option in the pull down menu, and select your file(s). Once you select your file(s), click on 'OK' to confirm.

To add a Folder to the Locking list, simply click on the 'Add Folder(s)' option in the pull down menu, and select your folder(s). Once you select your folder(s), click on 'OK' to confirm.

To add a Drive to the Locking list, simply click on the 'Add Drives(s)' option in the pull down menu, and select your drive(s). Once you select your drive(s), click on 'OK' to confirm.

Please note that you can Lock and Unlock individual items by just selecting the file, folder or drive and clicking on the 'Lock' or 'Unlock' button. This way, except for the file you selected and performed Locking and Unlocking operation on, the rest of the items in the locking list will remain Locked.

Also note that even though you can add folder(s) and drive(s) containing Locker files (.flka, flkb, flk), you CANNOT add Locker files directly to the Locking list. Furthermore, all restricted files, folders, and drives, as well as files with similar names on the Lock list, System Drives, Virtual Drives, USB Drives, Memory Card, Camera, and any other external drives CANNOT be added to the Lock list for Lock protection.

As soon as you have added your selected file(s), folder(s), and/or drive(s) to the Locking list, the security setting of Locked and Hidden will both be applied to the items by default, which will make your Locked items both inaccessible (Locked) as well as hidden. Additionally, the security setting of ‘Set Locking ON for all unlocked items when i exit folder lock’ will also be applied to the listed Lock items by default.

With the Locked security setting, the items in the Locked list will not be accessible (i.e. Copying, Moving, and/or Deletion will not be allowed).

With the Hidden security setting, ONLY files and folders will be hidden. Please note that the Hidden files and folders may still be accessible to users either through the Windows Run command or through DOS.

When you add your drive(s) to the Locking list, the drive(s) will get added to the Locking list but WILL NOT be hidden. Furthermore, the 'Locking is ON/OFF' function will also NOT work in the case of drive(s) under the Hidden security setting.

How do I add a File/Folder in Lock Files from the Context Menu?

In addition to being able to Lock files, folders, and drives by adding them to the Lock list, you can also Lock, Unlock and Remove files from the right-click Context Menu. All you have to do is to right click on the selected item and choose the action to be performed.

You can also add these items through the Context Menu in Windows. Without running Folder Lock to lock a particular file, folder or drive, you can right-click on a file or folder anywhere on your computer and select to Lock it. You can also Unlock an already Locked file by following the same method. When you select the Lock Files option from the right-click Context Menu, you will get a prompt requesting to enter your Master Password. After you enter the password, your selected files/folders will be added into the Lock Files list with the default security settings of Locked, Hidden, or Locked and Hidden).

How do I double-click and access the Locked files, folders, and drives from Windows?

With the Lock Files feature in Folder Lock, a number of default security settings are applied to any item added to the Lock list. These are additional security settings to provide your personal data with a comprehensive protection from casual users and unwanted eyes.

How do I remove the Lock from files, folders, and drives?

If you wish to unlock any files, folders, or drives, you can do so by simply running Folder Lock and going to the Lock Files feature.

Once you’re in the Lock Files feature, enter the Master Password to access the Lock Files list. From the list, click on any item and then press the ‘Remove’ button on the top menu in Folder Lock. If you are removing all the items from the Lock Files list by clicking on the Select All button, then as soon as you click on the Remove button, you will get a security prompt to confirm removal of those items. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm. After confirmation of removal, your selected items will be removed from the list and consequently unlocked permanently until you add them back to the Lock Files list.

Additionally, when you add any item to the Lock list, the security setting of Locked and Hidden will both be applied to the items by default, which will make your Locked items both inaccessible (Locked) as well as hidden. Additionally, the security setting of ‘Automatically Set Locking OFF After Entering Into Lock Files and Set It ON at exit’ will also be applied to the listed Lock items by default. To change these security settings, go to the 'Settings' panel in Folder Lock, and click on the Preferences tab to access the Locking & Encryption security settings. From here, you can deselect/uncheck Locked to set Locked items as unlocked by default, and deselect/uncheck automatic Locking protection. Deselecting this automatic protection ON/OFF option will give universal and unrestricted access to all Lock Files items from Folder Lock as well from within Windows.

PLEASE NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you DO NOT change any of these default security settings unless you are absolutely sure about what you are doing.

How do I change the Lock Files password?

You can change your Lock Files password by first running Folder Lock and going to the Settings panel. Once you’re in the Settings panel, go to the Password Security, you will see the ‘Change Master Password’ button on the screen. Simply click on this button and enter the current Master password in the Current Password field, enter new password in the New Password field and Confirm Password field. Now, press ‘Change’ to register the changes made.