How to enable file security?

[Guest]

Hi,

I would like to restrict the viewing, opening, etc of certain folders on my
C: drive, to prevent other people who may use my computer from seeing and
accessing these folders and the files within them. How can I enable
localized security? I have tried right-clicking on the folder, opening the
"Sharing and Security" option, but it is not obvious what or how to do this?
There is also a grayed out box I am unable to check...

Suggestions welcome.

thanks.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Guest]

Hi,
thanks for the link, but I am even more confused than before. The site says
to refer to troubleshooting section if the "sharing" tab is not available
under Properties. Here is what it said then:

"If the Security tab is not available, and if you cannot configure
permissions for users and groups, either the file or folder that you want to
apply permissions to is not an NTFS drive, or simple file sharing is enabled.
To troubleshoot, follow these steps:
1. Verify that the file or folder that you want to apply permissions to is
an NTFS drive. You can set permissions only on drives that are formatted to
use NTFS.
2. By default, simplified sharing is enabled in Windows XP unless you are
on a domain. To work around this behavior, disable Simplified Sharing."

I do not know what NTFS is (#1), nor how to disable Simplified Sharing (#2).
Any suggestions?

thank you.

 

[Rock]

Hi,
thanks for the link, but I am even more confused than before. The site says
to refer to troubleshooting section if the "sharing" tab is not available
under Properties. Here is what it said then:

"If the Security tab is not available, and if you cannot configure
permissions for users and groups, either the file or folder that you want to
apply permissions to is not an NTFS drive, or simple file sharing is enabled.
To troubleshoot, follow these steps:
1. Verify that the file or folder that you want to apply permissions to is
an NTFS drive. You can set permissions only on drives that are formatted to
use NTFS.
2. By default, simplified sharing is enabled in Windows XP unless you are
on a domain. To work around this behavior, disable Simplified Sharing."

I do not know what NTFS is (#1), nor how to disable Simplified Sharing (#2).
Any suggestions?

thank you.

:

NTFS is a file system. Originally PC's used a FAT file system. Then
with win95b and after FAT32 and beginning with NT the NTFS file sytem.
XP can use either FAT, FAT32 or NTFS. Most systems are either NTFS or
FAT32. How was your system configured? To find out open My Computer,
right click on the drive in question and click properties. That window
will state if it's NTFS or FAT32. If NTFS then go in My computer click
on Tools, file options, view. Scroll down to near the bottom and remove
the check mark in use simple file sharing. This will only be visible
with XP Pro. If you have XP Home then you'll need boot into safe mode
to see the security tab.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I would like to restrict the viewing, opening, etc of certain folders on my
C: drive, to prevent other people who may use my computer from seeing and
accessing these folders and the files within them. How can I enable
localized security? I have tried right-clicking on the folder, opening the
"Sharing and Security" option, but it is not obvious what or how to do this?

First you need to be running XP Pro; Home only supports this when you
use the reserve Administrator account after booting Safe Mode. Then in
have Folder Options - View uncheck 'Use Simple File Sharing'. And it
needs an NTFS drive

Then r-click a folder of file, take Properties. On the Security tab,
the main page allows you to select a category of users (and to add new
categories) and then check boxes in the Allow and Deny below.

Be sure always to leave System and yourself with Full control

 

[Guest]

Hi, thank you for the instructions. I have now disabled "Simple Sharing."
Under Security, I see a list of users, including myself, one called "Users",
the Administrators, and System. I assumed the "Users" to be other users of
my computer besides myself, so I selected a folder, went into Properties ->
Security, and modified the "Users" access to "Deny all". Then, the folder
went blank in Windows Explorer. I am confused...I thought I was denying
access to all other users, not myself!

Was I correct in assuming that "Users" meant all others besides myself?

Basically, I just want other ppl (like friends) who may use my computer
(while logged in as myself) to not have access to certain folders and files.
Is this approach right to begin with? Is there a way I can condition access
of key files to a password, such that the folder(s) are available to me, but
for others a password entry would be prompted?

P.S. I am using XP Pro. And I am the sole Administrator.

Thank you.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hi, thank you for the instructions. I have now disabled "Simple Sharing."
Under Security, I see a list of users, including myself, one called "Users",
the Administrators, and System. I assumed the "Users" to be other users of
my computer besides myself, so I selected a folder, went into Properties ->
Security, and modified the "Users" access to "Deny all". Then, the folder
went blank in Windows Explorer. I am confused...I thought I was denying
access to all other users, not myself!

Was I correct in assuming that "Users" meant all others besides myself?

No. Users is *all* users,. including you.. There ought also though
to be an Administrators item, that over-rides for the particular group
of Users who are also Administrators.