Password-protect a file or folder

Put an extra password on a folder or a file so that Filarr asks for it before opening, and change or remove it later.

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All your files are already encrypted. A password on a folder or a file adds a second lock inside Filarr: even with Filarr unlocked, the folder does not open until someone types that password. It is handy on a computer you share, or for a folder of sensitive papers.

Protect a folder

  1. Right-click the folder, then choose Password-protect.
  2. Type a password under Password. It needs at least 4 characters, and a strength meter tells you how solid it is.
  3. Type it again under Confirm password.
  4. If you like, write a Hint (optional). Filarr shows it when you do not remember the password.
  5. Leave Apply to all items in the folder ticked to protect everything inside with the same password.
  6. Click Protect folder.

The Protect folder button stays grayed out while the two passwords differ or the password is too weak.

If you untick Apply to all items in the folder, only the folder is locked: the files inside remain reachable in other ways, from the search for example.

Protect a file

You can also protect a single file: right-click it and choose Password-protect. The window that opens is the folder one: it is titled Protect folder and counts 0 items. Set the password in the same way and click Protect folder: the lock applies to the file.

Open a protected item

Click the folder, or double-click the file. Filarr asks for the password.

  1. Type the password.
  2. Tick Keep unlocked for this session if you do not want to type it again right away.
  3. Click Unlock.

With Keep unlocked for this session ticked, Filarr does not ask again for 30 minutes, as long as it stays open. Otherwise, it asks at each opening.

After 5 wrong passwords in a row, Filarr makes you wait 30 seconds before the next try. Show hint displays the hint you wrote.

While a file is locked:

  • its preview shows Protected file with an Unlock button;
  • Download is grayed out;
  • it is left out of ZIP downloads and of the search inside PDFs.

On the Folders page, the Locked filter lists your protected folders.

Change or remove the password

Right-click the protected folder and choose Password-protect again. The Manage folder protection window opens.

  • To change the password, type the Current password, then the New password twice, and click Change password.
  • To remove the lock, type the current password in the box at the top of the window, then click Remove protection.