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Best Free Folder Hiding Utility
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Introduction
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Folder-hiding utilities help you hide folders you don't want to see, or don't want other people to see. Most folder-hiding utilities provide a minimal level of secrecy, because your information is hidden but not necessarily encrypted. It's often relatively easy to locate a file in a hidden folder simply by using the Window's "Search" feature. Then again, to do this you must know what you are searching for. Other than keeping folders away from prying eyes, you can also use these utilities to hide some system folders that clutter your directories, even if you have Windows set to show hidden files and folders. |
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Discussion
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One recommended utility is My Lockbox from FSPro Labs. It creates a hidden password-protected folder. What makes this utility better than many others is that this folder is not only hidden from view, but it's also hidden from the system and applications as well, and will remain hidden even if the computer is started in safe mode. Be aware that My Lockbox does not secure your files through encryption, nor is it fool-proof; two users have indicated that they were able to access their folders without using their passwords. With these reservations it still works well to hide a casual folder, but for really important data use a encryption program like TrueCrypt. Another good utility is Free Hide Folder. Usage is simple; just nominate the folders to hide, and they immediately disappear from view. Un-hiding requires the use of a password. Don't depend on it to hide anything of real importance, because the files in the hidden folder are not hidden from the system and can be found and accessed using the Windows "Search" feature. But if you want to simply hide a folder from user view and still be able to use applications to access the files in that folder without jumping through hoops, it may be just what you're looking for. Be aware that each time you use the program, it will nag you for a donation. Another alternative, although technically not a folder-hiding utility, is TrueCrypt. TrueCrypt works by creating a completely secure encrypted volume that can be mounted and used just like any other drive. It uses on-the-fly encryption, which means that your files are decrypted and encrypted as they are opened and saved. Decrypted data is loaded into memory only and is never written to disk, so your files always remain secure. Use this solution instead of the above utilities if you require the highest level of security for your files. |
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Related Products and Links
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You might want to check out these articles too: |
Run this program in portable mode: http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/?s=version-history
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Editor
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| This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Paul Lawrence. |
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hide holder software, free hide folder software, free folder hiding tool, best free folder hiding utility, top folder hiding software. |
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Comments
Some more good ones...
Secure Folder: http://sites.google.com/site/securefolders/
WinMend Folder Hidden: http://www.winmend.com/folder-hidden/
My my, the list goes on. Plenty of options available :-).......
Free Folder Hider: http://www.freefolderhider.com/
Softnesia Directory Security: http://www.sofonesia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49...
Softonica Folder Soldier Free: http://www.sofonica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&...
Hide Folder HiBit: http://falcon-soft.com/hibit/
GJ, I had to remove one link because it was rated orange by WOT.
Thanks for pointing out :-)
TrueCrypt is my choice :-)
The latest version of Axcrypt allows you to batch-encrypt and -decrypt all files in a folder. It will not change the file name.
http://www.axantum.com/axcrypt/
Hello,
Microsoft Private Folder does not seem to be so bad:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/Microsoft-Private-Folder....
It validates your system to check if you're running "Genuine Windows" and you cannot specify the path for your hidden folder (default location would be: C:\Documents and Settings\user name\My Private Folder)and it runs only in Windows XP.
Other than these "downsides", it seems to be a neat program. If this has already been reviewed, please excuse.
Now WinMend Folder Hidden 1.4.0 was released. Which supports multi-language such as English, French, German, Hungarian, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, Greek, Korean, Italian, Slovak, Vietnames. You can download it from its official site:
I now use WinMend Folder Hidden and find it more stable and reliable than Free Hide Folder, and very easy to use.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Take a look at
Hide Folders 2.2
http://www.hidefolders.org/
Why the husle!!!
Just zip your folder with WINZIP or WINRAR and asiggn a pswd to it.
I use Free Hide Folder for casual security with noncritical folders. It works well on this level. One caution: if you have it set to automatically hide folders on exit, but then you reboot or crash without exiting the program cleanly, your folders won't be hidden when Windows reboots.
What about WinMend Folder Hidden?
Shouldn't Free Hide Folder be categorised as nagware/shareware instead of freeware?
Site back up http://tech-mike.no-ip.org
And JLock made freeware http://tech-mike.no-ip.org/Projects.html
How do you hide folders on a Removable drive, for example a external Hard-disk ?
I've used Free Hide Folders , this will hide a folder on an external drive, and will not be sen even when searched for, i think this is something to do with vista search indexing? but it does work, however, if you hide a folder in 'C' drive, the contents can still be searched for and accessed. if you know what your looking for. hope this helps somebody:-)
MyLockBox doesn't work at all in Safe Mode. Whatever you have hidden by it is viewable and accessible in Safe Mode. Bit of a loophole if you don't have your computer password protected for log-in.
I noticed this too. I did something really really stupid while trying to move the location of MyLockBox, I accidentally placed my Program Files in MyLockerbox meaning no program, including MyLockBox could be initialized, they were all hidden from the system and I couldn't unlock them. I almost cried.
Luckily I was able to just uninstall MyLockBox from safe mode which was such a relief but showed that MyLockBox was a good program for hiding files and that is all, probably the best at its job though. Truecrypt and Axcrypt if you want your data to be really safe.
S
I posted that first message about LockBox not working in Safe Mode. I just realized that there is an option on the MyLockBox control panel which allows you to protect those folders in Safe Mode, but you have to manually enable that Safe Mode LockBox protection.
Gotcha . . .
Your're a champ - dz
I have used Free Hide Folder for a wile. The result is that my folder is now disappeared and nothing i can do to recover it. Could somen please tell me if there is a way to get back my files? Thank in advance (my email: giodrake@gmail.com)
Giovanni
I wrote my own in VB that turns any folder into a fake recycle bin, if opened the user is directed to the actual recycle bin. If anybody is interested... http://tech-mike.no-ip.org/Files/JLock.exe
http://tech-mike.no-ip.org
http://tech-mike.no-ip.org/forums
The website shown says this software is available thru "Paypal Only".
The download link does not exist.
ya sorry, i was in the middle of a move from Colorado back to Az so i'll get it back up - and i was gana release JLock through PayPal only but, ive changed my mind...ill post again when i get it back up
Sorry for the inconvenience
Tech-Mike@gmx.com
I was one of the members who was able to access my lockbox folder without a password. I called FsPro and they told me a new version would be coming out later this year that would address the hole I was able to find. I also agree that built-in encryption would be very useful to this program.
Personally, I recommend TrueCrypt - a fine bit of software.
Why not use Windows? I don't remember SP2, but this is built-in Vista. This is not a Truecrypt replacement, of couse.
Hi
Truecrypt 6 is out!
I've tried Free Hide Folders, and it seems to just make the folders to want to hide hidden with the Windows option and disable viewing hidden files on my computer. So I had to uninstall it as I like to view hidden files. Is this normal?
Thanks
You can lock and hide the file, but the file and contents are visible to the old DOS program, MSDOS Executive. My LockBox needs encryption to be useful.
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