Password Protect Folders and Files N/A

[Guest]

I am running XP Home Ed SP1. I have a network setup between my wife's
computer and my own using a router, so that we can access certain files on
each others puters. When we were using Win98, we were able to password
protect these folders, in order to access them on our network, and to protect
them from outside access. We are both behind NIS Firewalls and do not use the
included XP firewall.
My problem is that now, I can not find a method using XP Home, to password
protect our shared resources, including folders and files, on our network. It
does not give the option to.
Is there something that I am missing in my setup methods, or setup files?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Guest]

Just to elaborate also on this. My wife's puter is also the puter that our 3
kids use, each with a separate account set up. If she shares a folder so that
I can access it, then the kids also have free reign to access them, as it is
a "shared folder". In lieu of all else, is there a way to block their access
without blocking my access?

 

[Chuck]

I am running XP Home Ed SP1. I have a network setup between my wife's
computer and my own using a router, so that we can access certain files on
each others puters. When we were using Win98, we were able to password
protect these folders, in order to access them on our network, and to protect
them from outside access. We are both behind NIS Firewalls and do not use the
included XP firewall.
My problem is that now, I can not find a method using XP Home, to password
protect our shared resources, including folders and files, on our network. It
does not give the option to.
Is there something that I am missing in my setup methods, or setup files?

Thanks in Advance

Candoo,

XP Home uses Simple File Sharing, which means if you share a file, anybody
connected to the LAN has access.
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&DisplayLang=en>

If you have a private LAN, who are you worried about that you need protection
from? You are behind a router, and have NIS on each computer, right?

Do you ever connect either computer to a non-trusted LAN?

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I am running XP Home Ed SP1. I have a network setup between my wife's
computer and my own using a router, so that we can access certain files on
each others puters. When we were using Win98, we were able to password
protect these folders, in order to access them on our network, and to protect
them from outside access. We are both behind NIS Firewalls and do not use the
included XP firewall.
My problem is that now, I can not find a method using XP Home, to password
protect our shared resources, including folders and files, on our network. It
does not give the option to.
Is there something that I am missing in my setup methods, or setup files?

Thanks in Advance

You're not missing anything, Candoo. Windows XP doesn't have
passwords for shared disks and folders the way that Windows 95, 98,
and Me do.

Since your computers are behind NIS firewalls, your shared folders are
already protected from outside access. There's no need for additional
steps.

If you want to take additional steps, are some possibilities:

1. Create a hidden share and only tell selected people about it. I've
written a web page with details:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

2. Assign a password to the "Guest" account. When other people try
to access your computer, they'll be prompted to enter the password:

a. Click Start | Run.
b. Type "control userpasswords2" in the box and click OK.
c. Under "Users for this computer", click Guest.
d. Click Reset Password, enter a password, and click OK.

3. Create a compressed folder and define a password for it. Everyone
who accesses the folder, from the local computer or from the network,
must specify the password to access the files in the compressed
folder. This Microsoft Knowledge Base article has details:

HOW TO: Use Compressed (Zipped) Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306531
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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