14 DAY TRIAL // Designed with the novice user in mind, IObit's Protected Folder offers a straightforward solution to hiding files and folders from pry eyes, backed by highly intuitive settings.
Such tools become a necessity when more people can easily access a personal computer (with or without the owner's permission), since private information is put at risk. This app has a pretty basic configuration set for locking files and folders by making them invisible.
Although a first look into its features does not make this noticeable, Protect Folder is also capable of depriving users of reading and writing access to drives.
The program can be tested 20 times before purchasing the full edition for $19.95 / €14.49 (1-year subscription). The setup operation is done in no time. However, users should keep in mind that Protected Folder offers to download and install third-party components that are not essential for it to work properly.
The interface shares some visual traits with actual safes, highlighted through a metallic theme, dial icon, and door opening/closing animations when starting and exiting the utility. It is rather clean and intuitive. No changes have been made in this matter since our previous revision.
At the initial run it is necessary to establish a password that will be prompted for each time Protected Folder is opened. Adding files and directories to the lock list can be done by either using a folder view or dropping items into the main frame while exploring hard disk locations. Recent items are recorded for quick access at a later time.
Although there are no buttons integrated for selecting and deselecting everything, the Ctrl+A global hotkey works. The context menu has an option that enables users to view the content of locked items.
As far as lock options are concerned, the default configuration hides all items for Explorer or other file managers, as well as denies reading and writing access. Any of these three settings can be disabled with the click of a button. For example, it is possible to make files and folders visible while continuing to restrict reading or writing access, or both. Confirmed modifications are immediately applied to the existing items in the safe.
Furthermore, the program password can be changed, while an exception list can be created with files and folders. Local and removable drives can be inserted into the safe as well, but only to deny reading and writing access; the hide option does not apply to them. In order to do this, the local drives must be first removed from the exclusion list.
Some Windows files and folders are listed here by default as well. This configuration can be restored to default. When it comes to the UI, it is possible to disable the fade and slow slide move effects.
The Good
The highly intuitive interface and configuration create a smooth experience toward the whole locking and unlocking process. All items are automatically unlocked when uninstalling the application, thus excluding the risk of losing forgotten data (the program password is required for doing this).
