Secure Folder

Computer security is a major concern nowadays, with threats that can appear out of nowhere access your files, or even damage them. Luckily, there are various applications like Secure Folder which let you keep sensible information in secure vaults so nobody else other than you can access them.

It’s best to make sure that .NET Framework is installed on your computer before rushing to see what it can do for you. However, modern Windows iterations come with it as a default feature, so there’s a chance you don’t have to go through the effort of checking.

The initial launch asks you to choose between two modes, a low and high security profile. The main difference is that the high security option protects your folder with a password, whereas the other doesn’t. However, it’s a good idea to go with the second one first so you can set up a password, because switching from the low profile gets you stuck, constantly asking for a password you didn’t even set, and no option to.

A small prompt appears when you’re asked to set the password, with a strength field to get an idea how easy it is to crack. However, it needs to be a good password, because you can’t access the folder unless the strength slider completely fills up. Just make sure to remember it if you want to recover your files.

When finally reaching the folder, you’re free to add any file you consider needs protection. Unfortunately, drag and drop is not supported, and the browse dialog only lets you add one file at a time. An extra copy is created in the folder, so you can remove the original from your hard disk drive. If running a low security profile, be sure to hide the shortcut, because anyone can access content without a password prompt.

All things considered, we come to the conclusion that Secure Folder is a practical utility you can rely on to keep important files safe from other that have access to and use your computer frequently. Although its intentions are good, it feels rough around the edges, with the low security option that doesn’t quite protect files, while switching can corrupt already added items.