Passwords on files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laurel
  • Start date Start date
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 "


Alternative Password Protect your User Account
To password protect your account:

.. Select the Control Panel from the Start Menu
.. Click on User Accounts
.. Click on Change an Account
.. Click on the User's Account for which you want to create the password
.. Click on Create a Password
.. Type in the new Password
.. Confirm the new Password by typing it in a second time (the two must match for the password to
created)
.. Create a password hint
.. Click on Create Password

To change your password, follow the same procedure as above except select Change Password.


Another alternative:-

You can compress or ZIP the file or folder you want to password protect and then you can apply a
password to the Compressed Folder or ZIP file.

To do this:-

1. Open a folder, such as the My Documents folder.
2. Choose File>New>Compressed (zipped) Folder.
3. Type the folder's name and press the Enter key.
Make sure you add the ZIP extension if you've set Windows to display filename extensions.
4. Copy some files into the Compressed Folder.
5. Open the Compressed Folder
6. Choose File>Add Password
7. Enter the Password.
8. Type the password again to confirm.
9. Click OK.

Note: Do not forget the password or you're screwed.

If you try to open/extract a file from the Compressed Folder, you'll be prompted for the password.


Also note that some applications such as Word (and others), allow you to password protect individual
documents.
 
Sure it does, you just have to zip them first, then password the zip file.
Not always a convenient thing to do, but the option is there.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Laurel said:
How do I add and remove passwords from files?
Click to expand...

If you are talking about passwords applied in a specific program, you'll
need to post back with the name of the program(s). See this link for
help in making a good newsgroup post:

http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Otherwise:

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".

Malke
 
Laurel said:
How do I add and remove passwords from files?
Click to expand...


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 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

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