How to password protect specific folders & applications ?

[Guest]

Is there anyway through windows to password protect certain folders &
applications ? Or do I have to get a 3rd party software, if so, which one is
good ? I want a software that prompts to enter the password when I try to
open the certain folder or application or something to that extent.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Malke]

Is there anyway through windows to password protect certain folders &
applications ? Or do I have to get a 3rd party software, if so, which
one is good ? I want a software that prompts to enter the password
when I try to open the certain folder or application or something to
that extent.

Thanks in advance for the help.

XP does not use passwords to protect resources. It uses permissions
instead. Here is information to help you with that:

How to disable Simple Sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in
Windows XP (Pro only)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307874

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

By default in XP Home, you can only make files and folders under My
Documents "private". Otherwise, to see the security tab in WinXP Home,
restart in Safe mode and log on with an account that has administrator
privileges. To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly tap the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the menu where you can
choose Safe Mode.

Note that the file system must be NTFS, not FAT32.

Passwording of folders is not supported unless you zip them. When you do
(right click a folder, then "send to > compressed folder") and then open
the zip file, you will find an option under file>"add a password".
Otherwise, use third-party software. Google "password protect folders".
I can't give you a review of any third-party software since I don't use
anything like that, but I'm sure someone else will come along with
comments soon.

Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is there anyway through windows to password protect certain folders &
applications ?

No. Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm
doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection
for individual applications, files, or folders. Instead, it uses the
superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to
individual users and/or groups.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

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

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired
files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

As a crude work-around, you can place the file in a compressed
folder, and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents. Also, some applications allow the user to password-protect
their specific data files. Read the specific application's Help files
for further information on this capability.

Or do I have to get a 3rd party software, if so, which one is
good ?

There are such programs, but I couldn't recommend any. (To be
perfectly frank, I'd be hard pressed to think of a more useless piece of
software, given WinXP's superior means of securing data.)

I want a software that prompts to enter the password when I try to
open the certain folder or application or something to that extent.

http://www.google.com/


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Guest]

I think that's very much a matter of opinion; many would say that it's the NT
security-model that is cumbersome. More advanced, yes, but whether it's
superior or not depends on what task you are asking it to perform.

It might similarly be argued that the Saturn V is a superior form of
transport to a Citroen 2CV, however, try visiting your neighbour with the
former.