If you only want to hide a few private files, start with free Windows options. They can reduce casual discovery of photos, scans, contracts, payroll sheets, and personal notes. If the files are sensitive, File Lock Pro gives you a stronger path from hiding to locking, read-only protection, and encryption.
Right-click a file, open Properties, and choose Hidden. This is free and fast, but it is only a visibility setting. It does not stop someone from revealing hidden files.
This helps when you share a PC with casual users. It is weak against anyone who knows the File Explorer setting or searches intentionally.
Private photos, ID scans, and documents can still appear through thumbnails, recent files, search results, or descriptive filenames. Cleaning those traces helps, but it is still not file protection.
Account permissions can prevent other users from opening or editing files. This is useful when every person has a separate Windows account and the PC is not shared under one login.
This works for files you rarely change. It becomes slow when you edit the same files every day or need to protect many different file types.