How to lock a folder in external hard drive for Windows PC?

Using BitLocker to lock a folder in external hard drive has several disadvantages to consider:

• BitLocker typically encrypts entire drives or partitions, not individual folders. To secure a specific folder, you'd need to encrypt the entire external drive, which might be inconvenient if you want to access other data freely.
• BitLocker is primarily supported on Windows Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions. If you connect the drive to a different OS (like macOS or Linux), the encrypted data may be inaccessible without additional tools or software.
• Since BitLocker encrypts entire drives or partitions, you can't encrypt individual folders or files selectively. This may lead to unnecessary encryption of data that doesn't require protection. Encrypting and decrypting the drive each time you connect it can be cumbersome, especially if you need frequent access.

While BitLocker offers strong encryption, its limitations in granular folder encryption, compatibility, and recovery make it less ideal for protecting individual folders on external drives. For folder-specific encryption, consider dedicated encryption tools (like VaraCrypt) that allow lock a folders in external hard drive.