How to Password Protect Dropbox Folder on Windows & Mac

Can You Password Protect Dropbox Folder

Very often we use Dropbox for secure storage and access your files and folders on any device. But many users worry that too much information will lead to information leakage and the danger of being peeped. Read on and get quick fixes.

How to Password Protect Dropbox Folder on PC and Mac (5 Ways)

In this part, we will show you how to set passwords for Dropbox on Windows and Mac. Most of the methods available protect your share link from prying eyes. But if you are looking for ways to make a folder private, we recommend you to use the third-party software in Method 2.

Method 1. Change Share Settings

Dropbox has a password protection function. This function is designed for sharing links. If you share the folder with password protection, only specific people can access the file. Others need to fill in the password if they want to view the document. Follow the easy steps to set a password for share link:

Step 1. Visit Dropbox.com and sign in to your account.

Step 2. Find the file or folder you want to share. And then select the Share option beside the folder.

Step 3. Click Link Settings.

Step 4. Select Only people with the password.

Step 5. Navigate to Set a password and type the password to protect the shared link.

Step 6. Click Save Settings.

Step 7. Send the password protection link to another user on Dropbox or you can copy and paste the shared link to email.

Method 2. Use A Straightforward Third-party Software

Dropbox doesn't have such features to password-protect your folder into private. Don't worry. GiliSoft File Lock Pro is an easy and reliable folder lock tool to protect Dropbox folders with passwords. You can download the software, lock the folder with a password on your local Dropbox sync folder, and then let it upload to Dropbox.

Check more features of GiliSoft File Lock Pro:

• Lock files/folders/drives with passwords to keep your data safe.
• Make your files/folders/drive protected. They can read the write-protected files, but nobody can rename, modify, delete.
• Monitor your folder and disk for modifying operations.

Step 1. Launch GiliSoft File Lock Pro, enter the valid email, and set password to register.

Step 2. Click Protecting File under the Local Disk. Select Protect File(s), Folder or Drive from the right panel, and add the Dropbox folder you want to protect.

Step 3. Check and confirm the files, folder, and drive that you want to protect.

Notes: If you want to unprotect the selected files, folder, or drive, tick the target data and click on the Unprotect button.

Method 3. Set Expiration Date for Shared Link

Even though you have sent the shared link, you can also control the file to be expired by setting the expiration date.

Step 1. Go to Dropbox.com and sign in to your account.

Step 2. Select the Share button next to the file or folder name.

Step 3. Click Link Settings.

Step 4. Go to Expiration and click the toggle to turn it on.

Step 5. Select the date that you want the shared link to expire.

Step 6. Click Save.

Method 4. Disable Downloads for A Shared Link

If your file or folder doesn't need to be downloaded, you can disable the download option to prevent easy downloading. Recipients can only preview the file.

Step 1. Sign in to dropbox.com.

Step 2. Select the files you want to share.

Step 3. Hover on the file name and click the Share button.

Step 4. Click Settings and toggle the Disable download to On.

Method 5. Set Up Two-factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is a second layer of security over a password or PIN code. After logging in with a password, you enter a digital verification code sent to your mobile device to prove your identity.

Step 1. Sign in to your Dropbox account.

Step 2. Click your avatar.

Step 3. Go to Settings > Click Security tab > Toggle the two-step verification to On.

Step 4. Click Get Started and re-enter the password.

Step 5. Choose the way to get the security code: text message or authentication app.

How to Protect Dropbox Folder on Android (2 Ways)

Unless the computer users, more and more mobile users prefer to store data on phone. So how to set a password for Dropbox? Check simple steps as follows:

1 - Set Password for Shared Link

Step 1. Open the Dropbox app.

Step 2. Open the file you want to set a password for the shared link, preview the file.

Step 3. Tap the "..." icon in the top right corner.

Step 4. Tap Manage Access > View Link Settings > Link Access > People with Password.

Step 5. Set a password and click Done.

2 - Set Shared Link Expiration Date

Step 1. Open the Dropbox app.

Step 2. Preview a file and tap the "..." option on the top right corner.

Step 3. Tap the Share button, click Manage Access and click View link settings.

Step 4. Turn on the expiration option.

Step 5. Choose date to expire shared link.

Step 6. Click Done.

Final Thoughts

There are 5 ways to make your data protected on Windows and Mac, 2 ways on Android. Hope these quick fixes can prevent your data from prying eyes. And if you want the folder itself to stay private no matter where it is synced, lock it locally with GiliSoft File Lock Pro before Dropbox uploads it.

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