Passwords

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ian
  • Start date Start date
I hope someone knows the answer and will post it. I'm
trying to figure out the same thing. It was obvious in
Windows 98 how to do it. Microsoft has done a good job
of hiding it in XP.
 
Hi Ian,

You cannot password protect files or folders in Windows XP. Instead you can
set file or folder permissions to restrict access to certain user accounts.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 308418
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

To set permissions your hard drive must use a NTFS File System. If it
does not, Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 307881
HOW TO: Convert a FAT16 or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307881
 
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
 
I've been trying to set a password, and tried to follow the "set permissions" idea instead. Except every time I read the instructions it says to click the security tab. There is no security tab on the file I'm trying to protect. How do I do it?
 
Are you using Home Edition? If you are then you must start your computer in
the safe mode to access the security tab.

--
Kevin
Please reply to newsgroup so that all may benefit

DeliaS said:
I've been trying to set a password, and tried to follow the "set
Click to expand...
permissions" idea instead. Except every time I read the instructions it says
to click the security tab. There is no security tab on the file I'm trying
to protect. How do I do it?
 
Back
Top