Best File & Folder Encryption Software for Windows PC

If you need to password-protect your files, folders, and disk in Windows 11/10, we can use some great freeware to do so easily. We can download various Encryption programs to keep our personal and valuable data safe. While there exists a plethora of these freeware for Windows, some that will suit your requirements are mentioned here. Read to find more about them.

Free File Encryption Software for Windows PC

Here is a list of some of the best free File & Folder Encryption Software for Windows computers:

AxCrypt
idoo File Encryption
TrueCrypt
FlashCrypt
1 Second Folder Encrypt Free
AES Crypt
FreeOTFE
Wise Folder Hider
And more!

1] AxCrypt

AxCrypt is the leading open-source file encryption software for Windows. It allows you to password-protect any number of files using strong AES – 128 File Encryption.

The program requires no configuration, simply install and use it. It allows Right-click integration with Windows Explorer so; one can easily encrypt individual files in Windows. Also, it features Double-click integration for opening, editing, and saving the protected files.

This program is free for use but also offers additional features in its paid version.

AxCrypt Key Features:

Seamless integration with Windows Explorer
Multiple languages support
Extensive command-line interface for scripting and programming.

Read: Best Hard Drive encryption software for Windows.

2] idoo File Encryption

idoo File Encryption is feature-rich software that helps you lock and hide batch files in order to prevent unwanted access. The program is capable of encrypting most file formats such as Microsoft Office documents, BMP images, JPG / JPEG photos, GIF picture files, PDF files, mp4 videos, mp3 music, and much more.

It, while encrypting asks you to create a master password and also demands an email address, just in case you forget the password. The feature-rich program does offer a good range of options, even with its free version. It includes an easy-to-use interface with a good file encryption facility. Simply add the items you want with the “Add” buttons, and check the ones you want to protect before hitting the Action button.

Note: Although idoo File Encryption hides a folder from the desktop, it will still be visible and accessible via System Explorer.

Idoo Encryption Free key Features:

You can hide only files – not folders or disks.
User-friendly interface
Password-protection for data
AES Encryption to pack and encrypt a folder into a portable executable file

Read: How to add Password to Zip file.

3] TrueCrypt

This free program is open-source disk encryption software for Windows 11/10, Mac OS X, and Linux. With this program, the desired data automatically gets encrypted and decrypted; soon after it is loaded, requiring no user intervention.

The encrypted data can then be stored in files (containers) or partitions (devices). Once stored, the encrypted volume cannot be read (decrypted) without using the correct password/key file(s) or correct encryption keys.

The developer of the program claims the only way to recover your files if you forget the password is to ‘crack’ the password or the key. This, however, can take time (depending on the length and quality of the password or key files),

The freeware program includes useful tips in the extensive help manual and volume-creation wizard that guide you all the way long.

Features of TrueCrypt:

Very simple to use program
Creates an encrypted hard drive and mounts it
Allows automatic encryption
Uses encryption algorithms such as AES-256, Serpent, Twofish
Allows holding authorization keys on a USB stick

Ways to secure encrypted data using TrueCrypt:

With a password
With a special key
With both a password and a key

4] FlashCrypt

FlashCrypt ensures good data security. The free program allows you to lock any folder on your computer with a military-grade 256-bit AES algorithm in just a couple of mouse clicks. Even the US Government admits the encryption method used by Flash Crypt is sufficient to protect classified information up to the TOP SECRET level.

After a hassle-free and quick installation, the program displays a folder drop-down menu of Windows Explorer with the following command ‘Protect with FlashCrypt’. So, to protect the desired folder simply select it, right-click on it, add a password and choose the command.

Besides the data encryption, FlashCrypt can optionally compress your files. This saves disk space to a great extent and therefore makes the program so special. Also, FlashCrypt provides an optional facility for recovering the forgotten password. Go get it here.

FlashCrypt Key Features:

Password recovery option
Data mobility
Optional data compression.

5] 1 Second Folder Encrypt Free

1 Second Folder Encrypt Free offers advanced encryption technology that helps you protect all the computer data easily. When a folder is encrypted with 1 Second Folder Encryption, it cannot be accessed or copied. Also, neither it can be deleted nor moved nor renamed. In short, it helps keep the folder safe from people who might want to see it.

Key Features:

One-click Encryption and Decryption
Password setting for the software

6] AES Crypt

AES Crypt is easy to use file encryption software that uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to encrypt files. AES Crypt uses a powerful 256-bit encryption algorithm to secure your most sensitive files. Once a file is encrypted, you don’t have to worry about its security as it cannot be opened without a password.

Post-installation, just right-click on the file you want to encrypt and select AES Encrypt as shown below.

A small application window will appear on your PC’s screen prompting you to put the password. Enter the password and click OK to complete the encryption process.

As shown below, an encrypted file will be created and will appear along with your source file. You can then delete the original file as you have already created the protected encrypted file for the same.

Decryption is very much similar to encryption, just right-click on the encrypted file and click AES Decrypt. Your file has been decrypted and is not password-protected anymore.

7] FreeOTFE

The second one in the list here is FreeOTFE. It is a free, open-source, on-the-fly (OTFE) transparent disk encryption program. With this software, you can create one or more “virtual disks” on your PC. These disks operate exactly like a normal disk, with the exception that anything written to one of them is transparently, and securely, encrypted before being stored on your computer’s hard drive.

Start by creating a volume. Click on “New” and follow the steps to create a new drive.

You can choose your desired location where you want to create the volume.

After creating the volume, you have to mount, and eventually format, the volume to create the virtual drive. Once the virtual drive was formatted, you will be able to encrypt files and save them onto the drive.

This encryption freeware may not be too comfortable for novice users and they may have to give some time in order to understand how to use this application. However, if you like the idea of creating a virtual disk for file encryption, this is the program to choose.

8] Wise Folder Hider

Using Wise Folder Hider, you can hide your files and folders. To encrypt files:

Create an encrypted partitioned drive first
Then drag and drop your files and folders to the encrypted drive
The files and folders will be hidden and encrypted after you close the program.

You can download it here from wisecleaner.com.

9] Wait, there are more!

Do remember that you should never encrypt System folders.

TIP: SSuite Picsel Security lets you encrypt messages in images.

See how you can Password protect folders without software. You might also want to learn how to make a file or folder Private in Windows. Here is a list of links to posts that will show you how to password protect documents, files, folders, programs, etc. in Windows.