A laptop or computer is your personal device to store important data. But if you are going to share your laptop with others, then you must need to lock a specific folder to secure your confidential documents.
If you search online, you will find a lot of different methods depending upon the window version you are using for operating your computer or operating system.
Password:
Password is the best way to lock to stop unauthorized access to the folder having your confidential data, documents, and pictures. You can also protect an individual document or file rather than a full folder. The steps for either an individual file or a folder are the same.
NOTE: Your window password and name will be used here.
The procedure to lock a folder in window 8 and window 10 is different from window 7. This is because it is not possible to lock a folder with a password in window 8 & 10. For protection, you need to install third-party software or used the zipped folder process. For third-party software, make sure before using it that it is from a reputable link or source.
Zipped folder protection is the best solution if the window of your operating system does not support password protection especially in window 8 & 10.
NOTE: Although Microsoft has disabled the feature to password-protect (Lock) a folder, still you can keep your confidential data, document, and information secure by using either hiding files or folders or password-protected zipped folder so the respective folder is not accessed by others.