How to Use GiliSoft File Lock Pro for Mac

Open the app with its password and use the file-list + control or drag the intended folder into the vault workspace. Check its name and original Finder location.

Select the folder row and use Hide Selected when it is visible. Wait for the operation and check its status. Files and folders can appear together in the same managed list.

Check the original Finder location. Return to the selected folder and use Unhide Selected when ordinary access is needed again. Test with a small sample folder first.

Enter the app password and choose All Files or the group containing the hidden item. Select the intended file or folder.

Choose Unhide Selected for the hidden item. Check the row state and restored path after the operation. The visible item offers Hide Selected again.

Open the restored item from its Finder location and check its contents. Use the app workflow rather than manually recreating or moving its original path. Hide it again when the working session is finished.

Use the Primary Vault add-and-hide workflow for a sample file or folder. Retain an independent backup of important source content until access has been verified.

After hiding completes, review the row status. The hidden-file screenshot and folder screenshot display encrypted and moved vault for the stored items.

Use Lock Me, reopen with the password, and test Unhide Selected on the sample. Confirm the restored contents are usable. The vault keeps the managed content protected until you choose to restore it for normal use.

Review the file list and hide any items that should not remain visible in Finder. Locking the app is not a substitute for checking their visible state.

Use Lock Me at the top of the app window to leave the open workspace and return to password-controlled access.

Enter the correct password at the login screen and confirm that the intended files and notes remain manageable. Review idle locking and quit behavior separately.

Open Preferences > Password and choose Change Password.... The password is used to open and manage this Mac app.

In the Change Password dialog, complete Old Password, New Password, and Verify. Review the optional password hint without putting the password itself in the hint.

Select Change Password, retain the new credential securely, and confirm it works after Lock Me. Review Keychain backup separately before relying on recovery.

Open Preferences > Password and inspect Back up Lock File Pro Password in Keychain. The screenshot explains that this backup supports later retrieval.

Review who can access the Mac user account and Keychain Access before enabling password backup. Keep an independent record of the app password as appropriate.

The login screen has Retrieve Password. Follow the recovery options available in the installed version; do not assume retrieval works if a password backup was never enabled. Recovery of the app password is separate from recovering deleted data.

Open SECURE NOTES > All Notes or the intended notes group. Use the + control in the notes list to create a note.

Give the note an identifiable title and enter the text in its editor. Reselect the note and confirm the content is retained; the screenshot shows a note list, editor, and Edited timestamp.

Use Lock Me, reopen with the app password, and confirm that the note is present and readable. Keep any required independent backup of irreplaceable information.

Choose Preferences > General and locate Use menu bar assistant.

Enable the menu bar assistant when that access route is useful. Review Launch assistant on Login separately; it controls whether the assistant starts with the Mac login.

Open the assistant from the menu bar and check access to a sample item. Confirm the password requirement and keep a reliable way to open the main app.

Open Preferences > General. Review Lock File pro when idle and choose from the values available in the installed version. The screenshot shows Never, not a recommended automatic-lock setting.

Check When quitting Lock File Pro. The General screenshot shows Ask to hide all files; do not assume every visible item is always hidden just because the app closes.

Test an idle session and a normal quit separately. Reopen with the password, inspect the list and Finder, and confirm that access and visibility match the settings you selected.

Choose Preferences > Advanced and locate Show files in finder automatically after unhiding.

Review When unhiding via menu bar assistant and When unhiding from Lock File Pro Main Window separately. Enable the routes you want.

Use Unhide Selected on a sample and check whether Finder reveals the restored item. Revealing it in Finder is different from changing the file contents.

This option affects remaining file data after content has been hidden and moved into the vault. Keep any required independent backup before enabling it.

In Preferences > Advanced, inspect Erase remaining file data securely after hiding and Secure erase method. Select the option only when that additional erasure is intended.

Test the hide-and-restore workflow on a sample and confirm the protected content remains accessible. Unhide restores the managed item; it is not an undo operation for erased remnants or other deleted copies.

Open Preferences > Advanced and inspect Primary vault Location. The path in the screenshot is an example, not a destination to reproduce.

Select Change... when you need another location and follow the choices offered by the app. Keep a verified backup and avoid manually renaming or moving an active vault in Finder.

Reopen the app with the password, review the protected-item list and notes, and test restoration of a noncritical item before relying on the changed location.