How do I password protect a folder?

Listen, I have a specific requirement... I want to be prompted for a password every single time I access a certain folder and everything inside it. I can't have someone just sitting at my PC and snooping through whatever they feel like. And no, I don't want to deal with the hassle of setting up a separate user account.

Is there a straightforward fix for this? I've been digging around online, but most suggestions involve permanent file encryption, which is way too clunky for stuff I need to access frequently.

Help? Thanks....

Oh, and naturally—Windows XP, version 5.1

Folder Lock is truly top-tier software for that specific purpose... 😁

http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/

Thanks, but I read somewhere that you have to pay after a certain number of locks.

Is there anything out there that's actually free? I access the folder I want to protect at least five times a day...

You read somewhere about how you can get this stuff without paying a dime, but around here, people act like it’s some kind of sacred taboo to even mention it.😉
There’s no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to this stuff.

P.S. Wait, didn't Torres leave Liverpool, ☕

Benjamin Wilson7 said:You’ll read somewhere how you can get it for nothing, but here, it’s treated like some sacred relic we aren't allowed to mention.😉
Nothing like that is actually free.

If it were actually that simple, I wouldn't be asking questions here... I'm asking because I genuinely don't know. 😢
And I'm always open to advice via DM.