Password Protect Folder

[TLMM]

Can I password protect a folder? I have looked in the properties, but can't
find the option. A co-worker would like to password protect some files. If
we can put a password on one of her folders, that would be great. If not, I
guess I can just set the password on each Word doc that she wants protected.

I did a search and noticed that there are a bunch of 3rd party programs that
can be downloaded to do this, but I would like to do it without downloading
anything if that's possible.

The file system is NTFS.

Thanks.

 

[JW]

Not with a password in XP, but there are plenty of other ways to achieve the
same thing.
(1) you can protect a folder with folder permissions in XP, so that only the
coworker can read it;
(2) you can use WinZip to zip up the files and apply a password to the zip
file;
(3) if you assign the coworker her own user account, then other users cannot
view files in your coworker's account (except the Administrator); and
(4) the most troublesome of all ( by shear volume of problems reported here,
by those who use it without backing up anything ) would be for your coworker
to encrypt a folder and put the files in.


Can I password protect a folder? I have looked in the properties, but can't
find the option. A co-worker would like to password protect some files. If
we can put a password on one of her folders, that would be great. If not, I
guess I can just set the password on each Word doc that she wants protected.

I did a search and noticed that there are a bunch of 3rd party programs that
can be downloaded to do this, but I would like to do it without downloading
anything if that's possible.

The file system is NTFS.

Thanks.

 

[JW]

P.S.
if you decide on #4, beware that many people have brought ruin on
themselves, by not backing up anything. ( They never backed up their
encryption keys, encryption certificates, user profiles, or anything. Their
files were priceless and irreplaceable, but they never considered making a
backup. Go figure. )

Not with a password in XP, but there are plenty of other ways to achieve the
same thing.
(1) you can protect a folder with folder permissions in XP, so that only the
coworker can read it;
(2) you can use WinZip to zip up the files and apply a password to the zip
file;
(3) if you assign the coworker her own user account, then other users cannot
view files in your coworker's account (except the Administrator); and
(4) the most troublesome of all ( by shear volume of problems reported here,
by those who use it without backing up anything ) would be for your coworker
to encrypt a folder and put the files in.


Can I password protect a folder? I have looked in the properties, but can't
find the option. A co-worker would like to password protect some files. If
we can put a password on one of her folders, that would be great. If not, I
guess I can just set the password on each Word doc that she wants protected.

I did a search and noticed that there are a bunch of 3rd party programs that
can be downloaded to do this, but I would like to do it without downloading
anything if that's possible.

The file system is NTFS.

Thanks.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

You cannot password protect individual folders in XP. You restrict access by assigning permissions to drives, folders and files.

To do this, you must be running NTFS as your file system on the drive in question. If your hard disk/partition is not NTFS you will need to convert it. To do this, open a Command Prompt window and enter the following command:

CONVERT X: /FS:NTFS

Where X: is the drive letter you wish to convert. You may also want to see http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm to ensure that you're getting the optimal conversion.

After this step is completed and you've rebooted the computer, if necessary:

XP PRO: In Windows Explorer, go to Tools, Folder Options, View and uncheck Use Simple File Sharing. Now, when you right click on a drive, folder or file (on an NTFS partition) and select Properties, you'll see a Security tab. Here you can assign or deny permissions based on user name or user group membership.

XP Home: By default, you can only make files and folders under My Documents "private". This is done by right clicking a folder or file and selecting Properties, Sharing. To change the permissions on other folders, you need to boot the computer to Safe Mode and log in on the built in Administrator account. In this mode, you'll see the Security tab in Properties, and you can assign permissions based on user name or group membership.

How Do I Get the Security Tab in Properties - XP Home (makes the Security tab appear outside of Safe Mode)
http://www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips section

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308419

HOW TO: Disable Simplified Sharing and Password-Protect a Shared Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307874

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Then when you assign the permissions, you go to Task Manager, Users and log the user out. That way it doesn't matter.

As for software not running correctly under a Limited or Power User account, that is not MS's fault. Users are still trying to use software that was written for Windows 9x systems, in an NT environment. Software vendors need to update their applications, and enable them to work under limited privileges, should the System Administrator desire it.

 

[Colin Nash [MVP]]

Well the Linux and NetWare security model is also user-based so you are
arguing with the entire industry

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Like Win2K, 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 work-around, you can place the file in a compressed folder,
and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents.


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]

You're correct, Colin. Like arguing with the sky for being blue.

Bruce, the paradigm you describe is in no way superior. Let me ask you a question. Would you leave the keys to a secure file cabinet hanging in the lock for the workday on the off chance that you might need a file from there? That's the paradigm you are calling superior.

Now, had you said easier to program, I would have agreed.

Greetings --

Like Win2K, 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 work-around, you can place the file in a compressed folder,
and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents.


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

Can I password protect a folder? I have looked in the properties, but can't
find the option. A co-worker would like to password protect some files. If
we can put a password on one of her folders, that would be great. If not, I
guess I can just set the password on each Word doc that she wants protected.

I did a search and noticed that there are a bunch of 3rd party programs that
can be downloaded to do this, but I would like to do it without downloading
anything if that's possible.

The file system is NTFS.

Thanks.