Lock Folders without using any Software
By Madhur Kapoor on Sep 14, 2007 in My Choice, Tech, Windows
Generally when we wish to lock a folder , we use softwares such as Folder Lock . However you can achieve almost the same thing without the use of any software . The trick which i am going to tell you will make your folder change into control panel , so if anyone tries to open it , the control panel will open and your data will remain hidden . Here’s what you need to do .
- You have a directory F:\games which you want to lock
- Open the notepad and type the following ren games games.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
- Save the following with the “.bat” extension , this file should be kept in the same drive in which the folder exists and will be used for locking the folder so give a suitable name such as lock.bat
- Now open a new file in notepad and type the following ren games.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} games
- This file will be used to unlock the folder , name it as “unlock.bat” . You can use any other name but use the .bat extension.
- Both the files should be in the directory in which the folder exists . Double click the “lock.bat” to lock the folder . the folder will change its icon to that of control panel and anyone who opens the folder will see the control panel contents.
- Double Click ”unlock.bat” and you will get your original folder .
- For further security you can save both the files anywhere else and copy them only when you need to lock or unlock.
Hope you like it . This post was written as a part of BlueJar’s Group Writing Project .





I also a did a similar post a few months ago with the title “Lock that pr0n!” :p
A very cool trick
Haris | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
Very cool trick to lock hose unsavory folders.
K-IntheHouse | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
Although I have not tried it, but I have heard about this trick. One thing I wanted to know is that if I accidentally delete the unlock file, can I again create it same way to unlock it?
Nirmal | Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for entering my first group writing project! I had no idea that you could do this. :c) Good question Nirmal, I am curious to know if you can just create the file afterward to unlock it.
GnomeyNewt | Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
really a super cool trick.
i tried it yesterday and it works perfectly fine.
you can create that unlock file any time u want. not a problem.
Roxi | Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
As roxi said , the unlock file can be created any time .
Madhur Kapoor | Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
tedious but cool way to lock your folders. nice.
Syahid Ali | Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
Very sneaky. I love it haha. Great tip buddy!
Brown Baron | Sep 16, 2007 | Reply
Hm!
New trick to save my pc from intruders! Thanks a lot, Madhur.
I use folder lock software to lock my sensitive data. But sometimes it will hang and I’m afraid of losing the data when the software is crashed.
Ken Xu | Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
Even i use folder lock but this thing is cooler and simple .
Madhur Kapoor | Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
Haha, looks like someone has problems with constant game playing
chuck norris dude | Sep 18, 2007 | Reply
Yeah, nice little trick. Can keep certain files away from my wife!!
MDB | Sep 20, 2007 | Reply
Very cool, I’ve never heard of this until now, thanks very much Madhur!
JoLynn Braley | Sep 25, 2007 | Reply
but i objection suppose some one want delete ur contron panel icon then ?
goina | Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
I tried on Vista but it doesn’t work;(
Noone | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
u can unlock folders by renaming the locked folder if u lost unlock file or format of that file.
Noman | Feb 21, 2008 | Reply
What if someone deletes our locked folder ???
Umair | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
simply awesome dude.
parag | May 5, 2008 | Reply