Locking Files & Folders

Any one know of a free software without spycrap downloaded wit it to Lock my personal info like bank and tax files. I've seen some great software but nothing free that will handle more than 25 megabites. I'd like to lock about a gig, on my laptop, I'm running Vista home prem. Live on SSDI so funds are not so available. Any help would be cool.
Thanks
Danny

 

>> Any one know of a free software without spycrap downloaded wit it to Lock my personal info like bank and tax files. I've seen some great software but nothing free that will handle more than 25 megabites. <<

I like this one Win Guard Pro which is available here at Major Geeks and comes in a freeware as well as a premium (shareware) edition. The program is very easy to use and allows users to encrypt files and folders via Explorer as well as offering several other "locking" features.

I liked this program so much I bought the premium edition. I think it cost me around $19 dollars but it was money well spent. You can click here to see a "side-by-side" comparison of the differences between the Free Edition vs. Premium Edition (some of the more advanced features require the premium edition).

Side Note: I actually use the WinGuard Pro 2005 edition, so I can't really vouch for the newer WinGuard Pro v6.6.27 edition. (Maybe some others who use it can chime in here)

Good Luck!

 

Since we are on the topic...

How safe are you locked folders from various anti-malware and PC cleaning programs. For example, when I run a reg cleaner, say RegSeeker, I see entries come up that refer to my Folder Lock program. As a result I abort the cleaning because I'm afraid it'll delete something important, say a password file, or a path reference, required by Folder Lock to reopen those folders.

Also, I'd like to both lock and hide them, but last time I did that (chose not to display hidden folders) I suffered a Trojan attack.

Any ideas?

P.S. Folder Lock is not freeware, but it has worked as advertised for me; I can lock folders by right-clicking on one, choosing 'Lock folder with Folder Lock,' and entering my password. Opening locked folders (with password) is simple too. That said, I've only used the program for about a month, so still assessing it, and have nothing to compare it to.