Introduction

If you share your computer with others, you might want to prevent a few programs that you keep on your hard drive from being opened. For example, you probably do not want somebody else to run your tax preparation software, personal finance or email programs and so on. Our free EXE lock is ideal in these situations, as it allows you to lock any executable programs with password from non-authorized execution. This free EXE lock is great for keeping people out of your personal stuff (locking Quicken so your kids can't snoop through your bank accounts) and for preventing unauthorized use of programs they weren't meant to touch.

Step 1. Activate Free Program Encryptor

Launch Advanced Win Utilities Free and go to "Privacy" tab and in "ENCRYPTION" group, click "Program Lock" to activate the free program encryptor.

Step 2. Select an EXE File

Click "Select" to select an .exe file you need to encrypt. You can also open the directory of the selected .exe file by clicking "Browse". You can check "Back up the current executable file to *.bat" for security purpose. If some unexpected errors occur when encrypting, this option will help you restore the original file.

Step 3. Encrypt the EXE File

Type the password in box of "Password" with less than 18 characters. Retype the password in box of "Confirm" for verify purpose. Check "Mask password" if needed. Custom your own prompt message of the encrypted EXE file and click "Test" to have a preview. Click "Encrypt" to encrypt the EXE file and the encryption will be completed within several seconds.

If you want to decrypt the EXE file, enter the password in "Password" and click "Decrypt".

Step 4. More Options

Switch to "Settings & About" to choose one encryption mode from "Speed priority (not compressed)" and "Security priority (compressed)". The option of "Add 'Encrypt with Free EXE Lock' to .exe file's context menus" supplies a swift method to encrypt your .exe files. Just right-click on your .exe file you want to encrypt and select "Encrypt with Free EXE Lock" menu item. Check it if you need. Another option - "Password needed when start Free EXE Lock" - offers the password protection for Free EXE Lock itself. Anybody who wants to run your Free EXE Lock must enter the password first. Click "Config" to enter the password. Click "Apply" to apply all the settings.