- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (35-use trial); $35.00 to buy
- Operating system: Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: September 15, 2006
- Total Downloads: 1,249,465
- Downloads last week: 6,484
- See full specifications
A newer version of Folder Lock is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 887 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Snoopers can't find or access the files you hide using Folder Lock, even in DOS or under other operating systems. This application also erases your Recent Documents history, so intruders don't know what to search for. The attractive lock-like interface simply presents the program functions. You can click the Browse link to locate and lock folders anywhere on your computer, or you can simply secure them via a right click. You also have the option to shred files for permanent removal, monitor hackers who try to break in to your secured files (and shut down the computer after three wrong passwords), and enable stealth mode so would-be wrongdoers can't even see the folders you have locked. In our tests, the program demonstrated good speed, even when securing large folders. If you share a PC and need to keep certain files to yourself, you should definitely give Folder Lock a try.Publisher's description
From NewSoftwares :Folder Lock is fast file-security software that can password-protect, lock, hide, and encrypt any number of files, folders, drives, pictures, and documents in seconds. Locked files are undeletable, unrenamable, unmovable, hidden, and inaccessible. You can lock, scramble, or encrypt depending on speed and security. Folder Lock is fully portable, so you can protect your files on USB flash drives, disks, CD-RWs, notebooks, and hard disks, and it doesn't require installation on another PC. Folder Lock protects files in Windows, DOS, and Safe modes, even when you change your OS or boot from a disk. Folder Lock doesn't let you delete its own program folder, and it can't be uninstalled without the correct password. Additional options include Stealth Mode, Hacker Attempt Monitoring, Shred files, AutoLock, Auto Shutdown PC, Lock your PC, Erase PC tracks, 256-bit Blowfish Encryption and Context Menu in Explorer.
Version 5.6.1 includes important update with more compatibility for different types of portable usb disks.
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User reviews of Folder Lock 5.6.1
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 887 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 16 user reviewsSee all 16 user reviews
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7 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: Folder Lock 5.6.1
"To put it simply: It is a FRAUD, a SCAM, and it doesn't work."
Pros: It has a nice looking interface. But that's it. I don't know about you, but I'm not interested in paying $35 for snazzy icon to put on my desktop. That's pretty much all this app is good for.
Cons Part I (Couldn't fit all this in the cons section): I've done quite a bit research on this app. The company literally bribes many users into giving this app a five star rating.
Many people on here are saying "It works for the average person" or "I'm not a computer techie, so I don't have problems with it."
To them, I have to say this: Have you even tried to bypass this program?
The truth is, it is very easy to bypass. "New Softwares" makes many claims that are simply not true. It is an extremely unreliable company.
For example: "Folder Lock doesn't let you delete its own program folder, and it can't be uninstalled without the correct password." Yeah right! Go to the installation folder, highlight it and press Shift-Del. Didn't work? It has worked for many people, but if it doesn't, come here (download.com), download "Unlocker" (a freeware program.); Install it; go back to the installation folder of Folder Lock, right-click, and delete it with Unlocker. There you go! It's gone! "Folder Lock is fully portable, so you can protect your files on USB flash drives, disks, CD-RWs, notebooks, and hard disks, and it doesn't require installation on another PC." That's a joke, it really is. Try it for yourself and see. I've seen complaints about files on USB drives being perfectly visible.
Cons: "Folder Lock protects files in Windows, DOS, and Safe modes, even when you change your OS or boot from a disk." Again, that's simply not true. It is perfectly accessible via a bootable Linux CD. That has been confirmed by both myself and others. All your locked files can also be viewed and changed via a network.
Even the average Joe should't buy this program. This program is good for nothing and works for no-one--whether it looks like it does or not. Get something else!
You'd be able to hide your personal information just as securely by burying your files deep inside some windows directory where no-one would ever think to look. If fact, in many cases, that might be an even safer way to go than to use this program. And it's free!
Don't believe everything I'm saying? Think I'm making this up? I encourage you to download the software and try it for yourself. Just be wary and mind what I have said. Try testing some of the things I have mentioned, try finding your own ways to bypass it. If you conclude differently, go ahead. Buy it. But, for your own sake, TEST it before you purchase it! And don't be bribed into leaving positive reviews until you've USED it! Reviews and ratings should be by people who've used the program, not by people who've owned it for a few days and haven't run into trouble.
Frankly, I'm a little saddened that something like this could slip past the download.com editor who reviewed this software.
I'm a busy person, I didn't write this because I was bored. I wanted to take the time to write this because scams like this frustrate me and I think it is only right to warn others. Don't fall for this junk; there are many other programs that will accomplish what this program claims to do. Use one of them instead!
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9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: Folder Lock 5.6.1
"Easy to use, encrypts, and can be installed onto USB drive"
Pros: - Locked folders are hidden from within Windows.
- Easy to use.
- Encrypted files (tried excel and txt) do appear unreadable in Mac OS X.
Cons: - Encrypted files are visible under non-Windows OS's.
- "Great" interface on trial is an annoying skin forcing keystroke sounds and a lock animation. (The skin cannot be changed until registered- why when the trial only allows 35 uses anyway?)
- Unsure of encryption quality.
- Program allows users to select "Master Key" to recover the password.
- Program maximum password length is 16 characters.
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11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Version: Folder Lock 5.6.1
Pros: It's easy to use, easy to install on multiple drives, and offers a lot of features for the money.
Cons: It just doesn't always work. I'll have it lock a folder and it'll say the folder is locked, but when I come back later the folder IS NOT LOCKED. Some features are very unreliable, such as the option to have it lock itself after a set period of time: sometimes it'll do it, other times it won't. When trying to access a locked folder on a new machine, Folder Lock often prompts me to enter my registration information even though I'm already registered. This is a pain. What's worse is that e-mails to the company get no response despite their promise of a 24-hour turnaround.
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Folder Lock 5.6.1
Pros: Encryption is supposed to be good, although I'm sceptical about trying it since the locking function did so poorly. Very nice user interface
Cons: BIG drawback - the simple locking and hiding of folders. All you have to do to find a file or folder which is locked and hidden, is to go to the documents and settings/.../desktop folder, (Folder lock even tells you where the hidden folder is!), and enable a hidden folder search. You'll find the hidden folder, completely unlocked and ready to use! Pretty poor security if you ask me!
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9 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Version: Folder Lock 5.6.1
"Great when working - Really bad when not working"
Pros: I like the concept and implementation. I simply removes the folder from site. It was great to have it on external drives, too.
Cons: I got the same Blue Screen of Death (Fatal Exception Error) as many others have. It seems this is a known issue with the authoring company with no solution in sight. I'd be hard pressed to buy something like this knowing it has caused thousands of Fatal Errors. If you do have the error (involving windrvnt.sys), boot into safe mode, log in to Folder Lock, and uninstall from within Folder Lock. I would NOT buy this software.
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