Simple but folder lock where the locked folder can be sent to others

This would need to work on Window 10 x64 and doesn't need to provide Mil grade encryption. This is a case where i need a simple way to put 12 to 15 documents in a folder and lock it such that it would ask for a password to access the files.
I have found a number of these ranging from "Folder Locker" to a few that appear to not even be around anymore. Some have many additional feature but this is an unusual case and the simpler the program is the better for my needs. As long as I can Trust the Lock.

The need is because we have to post a batch of files on a website where they are downloaded by a group. However, there is a sub-group of those people who also need to be able to open and read a separate set of documents that will be with the rest. of the file containing folders but I need these special "Locked" folders to be sealed to all but the few that have the password.

Some of the software I have found seems to be limited to locking files on My system which would not be helpful. Nor do i want to hide the folder names, they need to be visible to all nut just locked without the password. I need the group to be able to download all the folders but certain folders need to be locked with a password. Not necessarily encrypted as i have had problems in the past with encrypted files not working properly if they are not still located on the system where they were originally encrypted.

This also has to be easy to use because the people who access them are not tech geniuses. A simple "enter the password" and once they enter the correct one, it should unlock and allow that user to open all the documents inside without further ado. As easy possible. Like an electronic version of a safety deposit box. The folder would contain a mixed bad of document types, some pdf, some Word etc. And no none wants to lock the files on at a time.

The last condition is that it needs to be a program I can run on my system to Lock the folder and the recipient should have no problem opening it on theirs once they download it preferably with out needing to install anything at their end.

Some version of 7-Zip might work if it can be made to create self extracting archives that only require the correct password to be entered to access the contents. I figure some form of a self extracting archive is going to be my best bet but there might be other software out there that would work better.

I would appreciate any information from those who had maybe had the same need at one point and found a working solution

I hope everyone here on Ten Forums is doing OK and staying well in these Unusual Times .

Thanks Jacee, Unfortunately, the statement in Method 2 .... "..while this method isn’t exactly timely, since you have to undergo the whole process every time you need to add or view your files, it works perfectly and only uses this trusted software." would make it unusable, This would have to be used often and would also need to work once the files are downloaded by others. The best method wold be a self extracting archive and i am looking at a few options now. I started out with 7-Zip and Win-Rar and found them both to be excellent choices for what they do but not the right tool for my current need.