How to Protect Your USB Drive From Unwanted Access

Bat to exe compiler: bit.ly/6jmbgY
COMPILE THE BAT TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM READING THE PASSWORD.
This tutorial will show you how to make a super-hidden folder with your protected files in it and how to write a batch file which opens that folder when you type the correct password. sure you can achieve similar result with encrypted archives, but where's the fun in that?
~~Batch file code~~
@echo off
set pass=123
echo please enter the password
set /p ui=
if %ui%==%pass% (goto open)
echo wrong password
pause & exit
:open
start hidden
exit
~~Batch file code~~

[@Co0lFlame]

It's pretty straight forward, if you can't figure it out just by opening it and reading the text in the window, I'm not sure how much help I can be to you. You used a lot of question marks so I'm going to assume you're from New Jersey and need this spelled out very clearly for you but here's my attempt at answering your question. 1. Run Battoexeconverter 2. fill in the top two fields 3. adjust the radio buttons to reflect your desired settings 4. click compile

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

Hi Lamptape, thanks for responding to my comment. You advised me to save the text doc as a .txt which I originally did, though that didn't work. What I and possibly some of your viewers need to do to make this work is to save the notepad doc as a .txt yes and then choose "all files" from the drop down list in the "save as" dialogue box. It worked perfect this time. Thanks for your awesome vid.

[@scottstjoseph4150]

Yes, it hides your folders, but type any known file name into a file search box, and it opens it just as if it were not a hidden file. Yes, you have to open them one by one, but the inconvenience is time. Your "hidden" files are not safe with this.

[@Co0lFlame]

If it's Super-hidden, they wont be able to delete it unless they know their way around command prompt. if the batch file is deleted, just replace it. this isn't meant to be military grade security, just a fun demo.

[@Co0lFlame]

to get your hidden files back, open an explorer window, click tools, folder options, view tab. Scroll down until you see the option to hide protected operating system files and uncheck it. your files should be visible. to remove the superhidden property of your files, put them all in one folder and run this line: where c is the drive letter and x is the path to the folder attrib c:/x/*.* -s -h for example, if your path was c:/stuff , the line would be: attrib c:/stuff/*.* -s -h. good luck

[@nickolausaug]

Dude you should do batch programing tutorials they are rare to find any good ones but u do well

[@Co0lFlame]

@narutopetrov not quite. Those commands are passed immediately through the command prompt, they are not stored in a batch file which can be read. I'm not quite sure how you think someone could break that. What is possible as a result of those commands, but regardless of your comment, is that the hidden folder can still be accessed if a user has enabled the viewing of system folders on their computer. Like I mentioned in the video, this is by no means secure, just a fun little experiment.

[@KakasoftSoftware]

You can also use Kakasoft USB security to password protect files on flash drive, you can get the free download from its site.

[@Co0lFlame]

@JNPRULES1993 you could always use the same techniques to make the folder and instead of opening it with the batchfile, you type the name of the folder in the address bar in explorer. eg: if the path for your thumb drive is f:\, navigate to the f: drive and at the end, type /hidden so it looks like f:\hidden. that will open the folder even if you can't see it. for more security, try naming the folder something other than hidden to make it harder to guess what to type in the address bar.

[@Co0lFlame]

@AboxyCorperation sure, there are lots of ways to get around it if you're computer-literate or if you know its there. this is not meant to be military-grade protection, just a simple way to hide your files. But I'm curious to know, how did you get around it?

[@Co0lFlame]

@Tornerose83 I actually pointed this out in the video, you just need to compile the .bat file using the bat to exe compiler i provided in the description.

[@Co0lFlame]

right! and you can put those commands into a batch file on your desktop for quick access. the command should look like this: (f=usbdrive letter) @echo off echo hide (1) or unhide (2)? set /p inp= if "%inp%"=="1" (attrib f:/viewhidden.bat +s +h) else (attrib f:/viewhidden.bat -s -h) -- good luck

[@Co0lFlame]

to remove the superhidden property of your files, put them all in one folder and run this line: where c is the drive letter and x is the path to the folder attrib c:/x/*.* -s -h for example, if your path was c:/stuff , the line would be: attrib c:/stuff/*.* -s -h.

[@darshankustagiful]

superb ... 5 stars ..but the bad thing is when we use 3rd party software like ultra iso we can view the pendrive files without password...

[@Co0lFlame]

And if you mount the drive on a Mac or Linux machine, you can see it. Basically if you use anything other than windows explorer, the folder is completely visible

[@DjBoyInc]

Thanks dude Thats helped alot ... ! uh mm one more thing where'd you make your entrance to your video With the chalk?

[@Co0lFlame]

@000XDaviDX000 don't blame the process. make sure you followed the directions properly. in order to reclaim your folder, navigate to the directory which contains your folder and add /yourfoldernamehere to the address bar at the end

[@ChristianFadel]

It works pretty good!! Im glad about this :) Little prob though, you can reveal the password by right-cliking on the ".bat" then click modify, it reveals all the info, including the password...

[@Ebra72]

at the end of ur vid, you have a cool ending animation =)), what program you used to make it =D? r8ed 5/5 btw.

[@ArturoGarzaID]

I am taken to cmd prompt to enter password. I enter password and it doesn't work, another cmd prompt just pops up and keeps on alerting me to input a password.

[@Co0lFlame]

just go to the folder which contains the hidden folder and add /hidden to the end of the address bar. alternatively you can go to tools>folder options>view>hide protected operating system files

[@Co0lFlame]

I think I get what you're saying. You used user input to fill the parameters of the net user command? something like: echo enter username set /p user= echo enter new password set /p pass= net user %user% %pass% If that what you mean? if so, well done, its these kinds of tiny scripts that lead to completely automating tedious tasks in windows, something I'm a big fan of.

[@Co0lFlame]

@wxpizzy open cmd prompt, navigate to the folder where the hidden folder is using cd /d "path" then type attrib -s -h "foldername" and delete the batch file when you're done.

[@ARE_YOU_SICK_OF_YT_CENSORSHIP]

i guess it only works if 'Don't show hidden files, folders...' option in the folder options is active otherwise the folder is always visible and one doesn't need a password to access its contents the sure method is creating a secure partition with a piece of specialized software

[@Co0lFlame]

@DjBoyInc if you've mistakenly hidden your folder and you can't get it back, open the directory which contains your hidden folder and: 1.press the alt button once and release 2.click tools on the menu bar 3.click folder options 4.click the view tab 5.uncheck "hide protected operating system files" 6.refresh directory 7.open your folder and recover your documents good luck, hopefully this helps, if not, send me a PM any time

[@Co0lFlame]

@MrMicheal8181 You need to invest in a decent microphone. The Mic I use is actually pretty cheap but I put some foam in front of it to prevent hard P's. The camera software I use is Camtasia Studio 7, to move the focused area around, use the zoom n' pan menu.

[@Co0lFlame]

You mean the one thats identical to the one at the beginning? I used Adobe After effects CS4 with some custom plugins to make that. I would be more than happy to make an intro like that for you should you wish. :)

[@Co0lFlame]

in notepad, click save as, set the type as all files instead of text. then when you name the file, make sure you put .bat at the end

[@Co0lFlame]

As I mentioned in the video, you should compile the batch file using the compiler provided in the sidebar. compiling a batch file prevents people from viewing the source and the password but like I said, its not military grade encryption by a long shot. I appreciate input but you should at least pay attention and watch the whole video before making assumptions.

[@moualekadlene9670]

There is also hardware protection solutions like the USB-Dome (www.usbdome.com) which does the same thing, i.e protecting any usb key on any PC, but dont require nor suppose any software installation. so the true question is "can you really trust a guest PC or a guest usb key" when you must deal with it, for example when you enter in an Internet cafe you dont know if there is an antivirus installed in the PC you will use, or if it is present but disabled, or if it is updated correctly.

[@Co0lFlame]

@IchigoUzumakix yes, its very easy to put everything back. just open the folder with the vewhidden and copy everything into the root of your storage device then delete the viewhidden and run "del hidden" from the directory of your storage device.

[@blackzone3333]

when you click show hidden files in view it shows all files and anyone can see your files

[@cursedsinner99]

no! no one can see

[@Co0lFlame]

I'm not sure, even when you use command prompt to change your windows password, it doesn't use asterisks, it just doesn't display keyboard input at all. I've looked into this issue but haven't found a viable workaround. If you figure it out, please let me know!

[@Co0lFlame]

You can open it with notepad after you save it, actually. Just Right-click > Edit. If you compile it using the bat > EXE compiler I mention in the video, annotations AND description, this is not possible.

[@Co0lFlame]

@96samb when in explorer, press "alt" click tools, folder options, view, uncheck "hide extensions for known file types" then rename the batch file so that the extension is .bat.

[@musiclygamingguy6458]

Dude you rule, although I have nothing to hide, it's still cool to know that i am pretty secure.

[@darshankustagiful]

i saw another video in youtube ..that code is different when we type the pass and locked the folder the icon will look into control panel icon ..show all hidden files allso not work.... if we double click on that it takes to control panel ...

[@Co0lFlame]

To circumvent someone from seeing the files if they have enabled viewing SUPERhidden files (different from ordinary hidden files) you may wish to rename the hidden folder to a null character (alt+255) and change the icon to an invisible one.

[@Co0lFlame]

You did what I did but the .bat extension file did not work and now you don't know how to view your folders... You'd like to know how to enable viewing these folders and would like a reply asap? Well, I think I got the gist of your comment but I'm not entirely sure so hopefully this response will suffice. If You need to re-enable viewing hidden folders, in explorer, you need to click: TOOLS, FOLDER OPTIONS, VIEW and uncheck 'hide protected operating system files'

[@Co0lFlame]

Yes, unfortunately this method is by no means secure. Actually, if you plug the thumb drive into a non-windows machine, it will likely still display the folder. Like I mentioned in the video and the description, This is more of a demonstration of what you can do with batch and windows OS. Thanks for your input. If you like this video, be sure to check out some of my other (far less professional) stuff and remember to subscribe. Thanks!

[@Co0lFlame]

@Sh00t3r357 Make sure you have copied the batch file exactly. If that fails, try adding or removing the word start before the folder name.

[@nadiapovta3886]

Hi, so I did everything you said, and I saved it, but when I pressed on my thumb drive it still says the the directions (@echo off ect.)

[@Co0lFlame]

I can't think of a way to make it invisible off the top of my head but you could always have a copy of it on your computer.

[@TheHurdo]

I did all this and I just get 'Please enter the password' everytime I enter the password - the file doesn't open. How do I find and open my 'hidden' file now?

[@Kakashikewl]

Thanks a lot mate, just one question tho' I was wondering, can't the viewhidden.bat file be opened with Noteped afterwards? Cause if it can then everyone could do so and see what the password is, right? So...?

[@Co0lFlame]

@godsharry To make the Batch file un-deletable try changing the hidden / read only setting in the file's properties screen. (Rclick, Properties) or just keep a spare file with the same contents with a different file extension, such as jpg. you can then rename tat file to *.bat end execute it. I'm going to start working on a batch scripting video sometime in the next week or so.

[@96samb]

shen i open the viewhidden.bat it just opens the text document and what i wrote in it... it doesn't go to command prompt? help me please

[@Co0lFlame]

Haha, Of course I know this. I was sure to point out in the video that this is by no means secure in any sense of the word. This video is intended to be a neat experiment or demonstration. Thanks for the comment but be sure to read the first page of comments before remarking next time ;)

[@Co0lFlame]

@giovannnicool I believe you meant "does it work on macs" And, no, this would not work on a mac.

[@Co0lFlame]

@khaniu51 I was rather confused by your comments, perhaps English is not your first language? anyways, I stated several times throughout the video that this is by no means military grade security, just a fun experiment. However, your means of defeating it are flawed. if I were to compile the batch file, you could not view or change the code. If I name the hidden folder something other than hidden, you could not create a batch file to open it. understand now?

[@narutopetrov]

this must be 100% breakable even when compiled as you can use the command K: then attrib hidden -s -h at the command prompt?

[@Co0lFlame]

the program is pretty easy to use, just browse to the batch file and click compile.

[@oTryHardz]

@Co0lFlame Wait, how do I access the folder with Command Prompt to make it hidden if it is not in the K drive or such?

[@oTryHardz]

Does this work for files NOT on your USB, like a picture or text documents in the Documents Folder or in Picture Folders?

[@Co0lFlame]

not sure what you mean, i see no icon beside hidden from 1.10 to 1.20

[@drrobertkellar]

I followed you video and when I click on my "viewhidden.bat" text document it just opens the document. What did I do wrong?

[@JavierAguirreCHEF]

+Robert Kellar, Ph.D. You guys have to go download the bat to exe coverter then paste the file on the batch file(that's on the B.T.E.C.) go to editor and save the file, then it'll open a new file and it'll be the batch file. then a command prompt will come out then just type the password p.s. you have to convert the text to the bat format

[@Kakashikewl]

Oh I'm sorry, must have slipped that. Thank you very much, I'll definately try this out, awesome tutorial also. As for the Batch scripting tutorial, I'm FOR!

[@8Viceroy]

can we change the echo commands eg: you put 'echo wrong password' i put 'echo incorrect password' can i do that

[@MMinecrafTT]

@narutopetrov idd u can go to command panel -> folder options -> vieuw -> vieuw hidden folders

[@Lacrossejunkie14]

@khaniu51 MEO Encryption Software is what i use. google and download it, it allows you to encrypt and decrpypt files, just encrypt the batch file. you will have the decrypt password and the batch file password to protect your files.

[@DVDplayerz]

took me pretey mutch a while to see my utube mailbox but yea... (btw great vid and keep on going) :)

[@khaniu51]

The batch file can be edited and password can be changed. Is there any way to hide the batch file also ?

[@aj14011]

When i finish the notepad thing @echo off blah blah and ave it go to usb drive and open it dosent come up as the cmd comes up as the notepad what i just wrote help plz :S

[@lassilipstick]

mine wont create a batch file..it just stays a text document

[@Co0lFlame]

@khaniu51 the description is the box under the video. it contains invaluable information that you should always read no matter which video you watch. The annotation I was referring to occurs at about 1.31

[@Co0lFlame]

@punongpagasa21 right, cause you'll totally know that someone hase the hidden folder there and you'll also know what its called, right?

[@ahmeddarg]

you can get hidden files back by writing in dos instead of +s +h you should have written -s -h...

[@EchoVids2u]

Is it possible to make that bat file so you cannot delete it?

[@Co0lFlame]

Well, I can help you with one thing. to make the batch file unreadable, just use the bat to exe compiler that i explained in the video, the link is in the sidebar. When it comes to making the password appear as a star, I've been looking for a way to do that for a while and i would love it if you would tell me if you ever find out how. good luck and thanks for watching, remember to subscribe!

[@Co0lFlame]

@deatho101 make sure you followed the directions properly, its not too hard but it does need to be done exactly as I said to do it/

[@StrayCat414]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. I have yet to try this out but I'm glad I came across it.

[@haobanh1656]

After I created the viewhidden.bat, I get the error message: "Windows cannot find 'hidden'. Make sure you typed the nane correctly, and then try again' OK

[@ArtisticMX7]

does this work on mac too? how if i want to open it on mac, is it use TERMINAL for an exchange of cmd?

[@Co0lFlame]

@WannaBHaxa Oh sure, you can bypass the password, you can bypass the entire process using the address bar on explorer. I thought you meant that you could figure out the password, Sorry for my less than friendly response but I'm very well aware of the loopholes and flaws of this video.

[@omorfigynaika8646]

Pls HELP ME!!!I locked one USB in that way and now i can't unlock it!The password is not a problem,the problem is that i did something wrong maybe and now i can't open the folder.Pls tell me what to do.

[@darshankustagiful]

when i type the password in cmd it shows in text formats instead of stars ... Y..

[@rtnau21]

I used this encryption and it worked great. Instead of hiding the password I used a second encryption, to (what I thought would be) double the security. It worked too well and I can't access the drive at all now. It was completely stupid and now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it. Any thoughts or am I screwed?

[@tohahossain7991]

+Ryan T just go to view Folder Options> views> Hidden all protected operating system file(recommended). then change it and click ok. Everything is fine. And This video is not working anymore.

[@marbananta]

I know this was from ten years ago, but does it work on Windows 10? Edit : I've tried it. it works just fine. Thanks a lot for this.

[@Chris-gr9rz]

I used the code in the video and when I click my .bat file it opens cmd when I enter the password cmd closes and a new one opens it dose not open the hidden folder what did I do wrong

[@ArturoGarzaID]

Same thing is happening to me.

[@killerc100]

yo dude i cant find the batch file it got removed now i cant excess nothing

[@Co0lFlame]

@WannaBHaxa Yea, I'm well aware of that, In fact I'm rather learned in PHP, C++ & Java. I only called it scripting or programming for simplicity sake. Thanks for the heads up :)

[@TejasBailkeri]

dude how do we use the file in the description????????

[@irisbone1]

what if i already had this and accidently delete the oppenhidden file what i sopouse to do noe to oppen the hidden file?

[@JavierAguirreCHEF]

You guys have to go download the bat to exe coverter then paste the file on the batch file(that's on the B.T.E.C.) go to editor and save the file, then it'll open a new file and it'll be the batch file. then a command prompt will come out then just type the password p.s. you have to convert the text to the bat format

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

Wait a minute. Found a critical flaw perhaps you could remedy. If you right click on the "viewhidden" and choose "edit" anyone can read the password.

[@Co0lFlame]

c3po08066 read the description ffs

[@oTryHardz]

@Co0lFlame Cool, I found out how to access other folders, basiclly in CMD or Command Prompt, I say cd and my directory until I'm there!

[@Co0lFlame]

Good for you. Now read the description, annotations and listen to the words I speak. then try again.

[@Co0lFlame]

keep a copy of hidden.exe saved somewhere on your computer.

[@Co0lFlame]

At that point, you may as well just use truecrypt

[@Co0lFlame]

@killersw1 do the same thing in cmd where you type attrib hidden +s +h but use -s -h instead and it will become a normal folder again.

[@gdsharpe]

i tried doing thisbut it didn't work! blueflame, how can i get my hidden files back from my usb drive, arghhhh

[@musiclygamingguy6458]

This is random but i made a .bat file into a .exe that when you run it as administrator, if you need to simply change a use password right click, run as administrator, type in user, password, done. hard to explain.

[@MrCrispy1991]

What did you use to make your intro?

[@godsharry]

Hiya! Must say that this is the best method to make a password protected folder.I just wanted to ask is there any way that we can make this " batch" or "exe" file undeletable? That would make more of a factory installed password protection!! aND IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD POST A VIDEO ON GENERAL BATCH SCRIPTING! Thanks godsharry

[@porterwilliams1390]

Whenever I open the .bat file, all it does when I open it up and type in the password is show what I typed into the notepad. Did I do something wrong?

[@ArturoGarzaID]

You have to go to Folder Options and unclick "hide extensions of known file types" then go to your file and rename it taking out the .txt from the end.

[@Co0lFlame]

@godsharry that's a tough one. I've been looking for a command to do just that for a while now. I've had no luck finding one but if you find yourself fortunate enough to stumble across one, please do let me know.

[@jakobcarver9825]

I’ve been trying this for like an hour and I’m on windows 10 I don’t think it works. It’s just constantly says enter password and goes no where from there

[@Co0lFlame]

woah this is a blast from the past! I made this video over 10 years ago so it may not be the most relevant haha. out of curiosity, I just tried this to see if it still works. My guess is that if nothing happens after you enter the password, you might not have a directory called hidden or maybe typo'd the script. Try copy/pasting the code in the description and see if that fixes it. And if you want proper security, try using an enctryption tool like truecrypt. If you're lazy, a password protected zip file will do the trick but it's not all that secure. happy scripting!

[@abhayengg]

how to protect the hidden.exe file from being deleted....as anyone can delete that file......

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

I need to correct myself. From my earlier comment about cutting out the password.......... if you do, then any old series of number and/or letters will open it. So you do have to include a set password. But still, anyone can see your password to open the drive by simply right clicking on the "viewhidden" file and selecting edit . Does anyone have a way of truly creating a secure password protected flash drive?

[@Whatdoyouthink.687]

Followed it step by step but just ended up with a text document that opens up everything I typed into it. Is that suppose to work on Windows?

[@Co0lFlame]

c3po08066 you probably didn't save it as a bat file. The extension needs to be [name.bat] NOT [name.bat.txt]. Make sure you have hide extensions for known file types turned off