Securing files or folders with passwords

  • Thread starter Thread starter emmesmum
  • Start date Start date
E

emmesmum

Is it possible to password lock personal files and
folders? Our personal computer has dual administrators so
no files on the computer are secure, personal or not. I'm
sure this is basic, but I've looked in all XP help files
and on internet help but haven't found a way to do this.
I'd like to be able to require a password for a single
folder of Word docs.
 
You can password protect single files and folders with WindowsXP
Professional. But if there is more than one User that has an Administrator
rights then more than one person will be able to see ANY folder that is PW
protected. If you have admin rights then take away the admin rights of the
other person and set permissions for your folder so just you can access it.
I'm not sure how much you know about WindowsNT type permissions but that is
how it could be done. There has to be at least one admin on the machine and
that gives the person total control over it.

Jeff
 
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
 
If you want to secure Word files with a password, open
that document, click on Tools, and then Options. Click
on the Security tab, and enter a password to to open.
Click OK, and re-enter your password. Now whenever you
enter that document, you will be asked to enter the
password.
 
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