How to prevent a folder from being deleted in Windows 10

Do you have certain files on your PC that you can't afford to lose? But unfortunately, you have hit the delete button and lost all your important files.

If this happens with you often, we can totally sympathize with you. It is very common for Windows users to mistakenly delete their vital documents, photos, or videos. Especially while deleting multiple files together, there's a big chance that you might delete your essential data.

However, you can protect your files from being deleted by securing them. Windows users can prevent files from being deleted in numerous ways. And below, the four easiest and fastest data securing methods are discussed. So, let's protect your files!

Why Do You Need to Protect Files from Being Deleted

I will be careful, so I don't need to protect my files from being deleted on Windows 10/11!

If this is going on in your mind, it is recommended to change your thoughts. That's because no matter how carefully you store, edit or transfer files on your Windows PC, there are various privacy and security threats lurking around to damage your files. For instance:

• Hackers and viruses: Hackers are always searching loopholes in your network settings so they can steal or corrupt your vital data. Thus, you need to secure your files on Windows 10/11 to prevent them from numerous cyber vulnerabilities. 

• Compliance: Today, there are a number of laws and regulations that you have to follow to protect files from being deleted, copied, or stolen. Whether it's your personal or professional data, you need a file security system to meet all the digital compliances. 

• Safeguard your hard work: If you don't want all your hard work to get deleted intentionally or unintentionally, you need to secure or lock your files in the right manner.

• Maintain your privacy: If you share your PC with your family members or colleagues, it is better for you to protect or hide your files so that no one else can delete them. 

How to Protect Files from Being Deleted in Windows 11/10

You don't need to be a pro-Windows 11/10 user to protect your files from being deleted. If you are familiar with Windows basic stuff, you can easily prevent your files from being deleted or copied. 

Here are the few easy and simple methods for novice Windows users to protect their files:

Method 1. Use EaseUS LockMyFile to Protect Files from Being Deleted

The simplest method to protect your files from being deleted, copied, or accessed by others is EaseUS LockMyFile. The software can enable people from modifying, editing, or deleting your files without their permission. 

EaseUS LockMyFile has military-grade level encryption and password protection features that can protect your files from being deleted on Windows 11/10. Also, the software comes with various other files or folders protection features:

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• It enables you to hide, lock or protect private files on your local as well as external disk files. 
• The Invisible Mode completely hides your files or folders on your Windows PC. 
• It can password protect all types of files stored on your system or external devices. 
• The software only allows users to read the protected files, but nobody can delete or rename them without a password. 
• LockMyFile monitors files constantly on your system and records when changes are made by the user. 
• You can set a password for your files shared on the network to limit access to them. 
• The AES encryption algorithm allows you to encrypt files into GFL and EXE formats. 
• When you forget a password, you can revive it with your predefined email. 
• You can use the Program Log anytime to view all history of your operations. 
• It will temporarily block your files if someone enters the wrong password over five times. 

EaseUS LockMyFile features list might be a bit lengthy, but it is super easy to protect your files from being deleted on Windows 11/10 with the program. You simply have to follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS LockMyFile, enter the valid email, and set password to register. 

This is our in-house Prevent tool that does two things. First, it stops operations such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, actions. Second, it grays out the context menu items. You can quickly enable it when you are not around or someone else is using your account.

2] Enable the confirmation dialogue box

Windows used to offer a confirmation dialogue box which prompted up every time you deleted a file.

You can enable it using the Recycle Bin settings, Group Policy Editor, and Registry settings. It will be helpful to give you a hint on what you are doing and save the files and folders at times.

3] Change Security Permission

If there is another account on the computer that could be deleting the file on the computer, we recommend changing permission settings for the folders you want to secure. You can remove permissions to modify, read, execute, write, and more.

• Right-click on the file you want to be safe, and select Properties
• Go to the Security tab > Advanced and click on disable inheritance
• Select Convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions on this object option when it shows up.
• Click on the user to whom you want to deny them access, and then click on Edit.
• From the Type dropdown menu, select Deny, and click OK
• You will need to repeat the same with other user accounts.
• Once done, click Ok to apply the changes.

4] OneDrive Personal Vault

One of the most underrated features of OneDrive is Personal Vault. This feature allows you to move files inside them and accessible only after verification.

I would highly recommend you move all the files inside it and work through this feature. When unsued for a long time, the vault will lock itself. This makes sure nobody else has access to your files.

5] BitLocker

If your computer supports BitLocker, you can choose to lock a complete driver with a password. Not only that, but the drive is also encrypted, making sure the files inside are safe and cannot be deleted. While you can use it for the primary drive, it is best used with external drives.  Since BitLocker works on a drive level, you cannot lock a single folder or file.

However, it works on partitions if you keep all your work data on a secondary partition and keep it locked.

These were some useful methods that can help you prevent the accidental deletion of files and folders, which could be because of you or someone else.