If there are many small, practical and simple tools and software to protect files and folders, to block programs and not let them be used by other people can be more complicated. This need can be confirmed if we have to set up the computer as a public PC or a company PC with limited permissions, where almost nothing can be started and used except a few selected programs.
So if you use a family computer to work or play and do not want a particular program to be opened and used by another person, you must create a security policy (with password or without) or use one of the programs indicated.
If a program is protected, only the selected users have access to it and can start the application or executable which becomes unusable for everyone else.
READ ALSO -> App to block the opening of applications on Android
1) AppLocker
If we want to use the tools made available on Windows without installing any additional programs, you will be pleased to note that on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 you can protect individual programs using the AppLocker program.
To enable Applocker you need to set the "Application identity" service as automatic (to access the list of services, Start> Run> Services.msc ).
Applocker is found by going to Start -> Run, writing the command gpedit.msc and, in the configuration window, going to the path: Computer configuration -> Windows settings -> Security settings -> Application control policies .
From Applocker you can create new rules for computer users, concerning individual executables or programs, thus deciding what can be started for each individual PC user.
In these cases it is advisable to adopt an Admin account with password to protect the changes to the control policies and a basic account to be configured with all the necessary locks, so whoever starts the normal user will not be able to start the applications configured by the administrator.
2) Ask Admin
Ask Admin is a small portable tool that blocks programs and applications or executable with a click in a simple and immediate way; we can download it for free from here -> Ask Admin .
Just drag the execution file to the app interface or click Add file in the upper left corner specifying the path of the program that we want to block.
Once the blocked programs have been selected, click on Options then click on the "Restart Explorer" button to see how the name of the prohibited application is changed.
Trying to open the locked application will result in an error message and will fail to start.
There is no password to put, just lock and unlock from the program interface.
Excellent the possibility to export and import the list of programs, so as to be able to configure several different workstations (especially in the business sector, this thing could become very useful).
3) InstallGuard
InstallGuard is a program that remains running in the background and protects the installation and uninstallation of software by requiring a password; we can download it for free by clicking here -> InstallGuard .
This tool is designed to prevent malicious software from being able to install silently and without permission, but we can extend its protection to prevent you from installing unauthorized programs or starting new programs that we don't want to be run with the standard user account.
To block the installation, we also recommend reading the guide below.
READ ALSO: Block installation and execution of unauthorized programs
4) WinGuard Pro
A solution similar to Applocker, but disconnected from the Windows user security policy (and therefore good even if there is only one user), also comes from a program called WinGuard Pro, which we can download for free in limited trial from here -> WinGuard Pro .
it allows you to password-lock a program, a folder, a disk, the task manager, the explorer of Windows resources and block the installation of new software.
The free version has some limitations but, for our purpose, it's more than good.
5) Game Protector
Game Protector is a Windows tool developed to prevent access to video games on a PC but which prevents any program and executable from starting; we can download it from here -> Game Protector .
With this program we can set the password and then hide the program by indicating it in the list or by browsing the PC and indicating the program to be blocked.
In addition to the block we can also change the icon and temporarily rename it so as to make it difficult to find it.
6) Easy File Locker
Easy File Locker allows you to make files on your computer inaccessible or invisible, including therefore the executable files of programs; we can download it for free from here -> Easy File Locker .
After installing it, you have to start the program, go to the top System button and set the password.
By pressing the + button you can add the files to be protected which can be documents, images, photos or even programs and links .
For each of them you can ask the software to make the chosen content non-openable, hidden, non-erasable or non-editable.
To remove the EasyFile locker program, it takes the same password set before.
The only drawback is that if you make a file inaccessible, the relative icon also disappears and becomes difficult to recognize.
7) ExeLock is a small tool that password-protects the execution of EXE files, ie all files that start programs, applications and games.
This tool is portable without installation and is very simple to use, because you only have to choose the file to be protected and then set the password.
To remove the lock, you will need to use Exelock again before starting the program.
We have seen all the best programs and methods to block programs and applications on Windows PC; in another article we covered another very interesting topic on how to protect internet surfing with a password.
