Password

[ML]

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but only
by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need to
share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on the
network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

 

[Malke]

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but
only by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need to
share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on the
network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

XP and Vista do not use passwords to protect resources. NT-based operating
systems use 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".

Malke

 

[R. McCarty]

Simplest solution is to place them inside a password protected Zip
module. If the Workgroup PCs use XP Home then you've only got
two privilege levels ( Administrator/Limited ) and it's likely that all
users are currently setup with Administrator rights. Encryption is a
choice but the risk there is loosing the Key and then even you won't
be able to access the content. The problem with a Zip is the issues
with constantly Zip/Unzipping them to access.

Maybe the best choice is just put the files on a Flash Drive and
carry it from PC to PC and forget about File sharing. One other
option is an online storage facility like Microsoft's Sky Drive that
would require a password to access. I use SkyDrive to have access
to files no matter what PC I'm currently working with but has Internet
access. The issue with SkyDrive is a single file size is limited to 50
Megabytes and upload time can be significant.
SkyDrive info/sign-up at:
http://SkyDrive.Live.Com

Longest "Non-Answer" I think I've ever posted.

 

[Lorne]

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but
only by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need to
share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on the
network (my kids!) accessing them.

There is a backdoor way to put the same password on all shared folders/files
in Windows XP.

Do start-run, then type 'Control Userpasswords2' in the box. It brings up a
window that lets you set a password for the guest account.

If you want some folders freely accessable and others with a password you
are stuck - a major step backwards feom Windows 98 in my opininion.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but only
by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need to
share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on the
network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

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.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[ML]

Thanks everyone. Not a simple solution then. (using Fat system)
Puzzling really as with all that MS Windows can do, I would have thought
that password protected folders would be such a simple and good way to keep
certain folders private on a network just like you can protect an individual
file.
But hey what do I know.
Thanks for your help

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but
only by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need
to share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on
the network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

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.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Lorne]

Another option is to put $ as the last letter of the share name - now it
will be invisible in Network Neighborhood so the only way to connect to it
is if you know its name and you type:

\\computername\sharename$

into the address bar. You can ofcourse use an obscure name like:
iqwbhdjk$ if you think your kids are computer savvy and might find account$.

 

[Lorne]

ML wrote:

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.

This is only true for XP pro isn't it? Or are you saying you can do this in
XP home as well in which case can you tell me how.

 

[ML]

And another thing come to think of it.
It's not only on the network where passwording one folder or 2 would come in
handy.
What about if you're not too worried about other people using your pc, so
windows starts with no login or password, everytime you use it, BUT you just
have a couple of folders you want to keep private. Surely that would be a
time passwording folders would be a good option.
No?

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but
only by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need
to share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on
the network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

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.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[PD43]

And another thing come to think of it.
It's not only on the network where passwording one folder or 2 would come in
handy.

fuggedaboudit... can't be done. Probably never will be possible to do
;-)

 

[Chris K.]

Easy solution:

Have a password-projected account and a guest account. Use this guide for
the file sharing and when you need to access a privately shared folder you
should be greeted with a nice user/password combo:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

Regards,
Chris K.

And another thing come to think of it.
It's not only on the network where passwording one folder or 2 would come
in handy.
What about if you're not too worried about other people using your pc, so
windows starts with no login or password, everytime you use it, BUT you
just have a couple of folders you want to keep private. Surely that would
be a time passwording folders would be a good option.
No?

Hi all
How does one protect a folder so that it's accessable on another pc but
only by password.
At home on our network, because I may go from one pc to another so need
to share my documents. I've shared them but I don't want anyone else on
the network (my kids!) accessing them.
I don't want to have to password every file.
Thanks
J

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.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

This is only true for XP pro isn't it? Or are you saying you can do this in
XP home as well in which case can you tell me how.

I can't imagine why it couldn't be done in WinXP Home (though probably
in Safe Mode, by the built-in Administrator), but I can't say for sure,
as I've currently no access to any computers running WinXP Home. Never
used it, myself.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Lorne]

I can't imagine why it couldn't be done in WinXP Home (though probably in
Safe Mode, by the built-in Administrator), but I can't say for sure, as
I've currently no access to any computers running WinXP Home. Never used
it, myself.

You can set up user level shares in safe mode but I do not think it is
possible to connect to an XP home machine from another network machine
except through the guest account so I do not think it is possible to set up
a folder that is shared on a network only to users who can logon with the
specified user name.

If I am wrong I would love to know as I have the same issue as the OP - I
want to have certain folders (music & pictures) freely available to the
family from any computer but other folders accessable from any computer but
only by me.

 

[R. McCarty]

For "Global Use/Access" store that material in the "Shared Users Folder".
Then make the individual profiles private. That provides some of what
you are describing. I use the Shared Users folder for many customers
who want a central repository for pictures and music that all users can
have access to. The path to the Shared Documents is:
\Documents & Settings\All Users\Shared Documents

This KB article may provide some basic information:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/share.mspx