Windows XP Folders

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HankL

One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that no
one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
 
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that no
one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
Click to expand...

Only by zipping (compressing) it or by using third-party software (Google
for something like "password protect folders"). Multi-user operating
systems like XP and Vista don't use passwords to protect resources. They
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.

Malke
 
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so
that no one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get
into the folder?
Click to expand...

No. XP does not use passwords. Check "permissions."
 
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so
that no one can see its contents and have a password necessary to
get into the folder?
Click to expand...

Not natively under Windows.
However an excellent freeware 3rd party program to try is "Truecrypt"
It will password protect a "virtual disk" rather than a folder.

<http://www.truecrypt.org>

HTH,
John
 
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that no
one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
Click to expand...

There is a decent 3rd party utility called Folder Guard that is reasonably
priced, that will allow you to password protect specific folders. Also there
are quite a few "freeware" utilities that work very similar, do a google
search on "folder lock" there are quite a few options both free and
shareware.
hope this helps
Gandalf The Wizard
MCDST, MCSA, MCSE, MCPD, CCNA
 
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that no
one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
Click to expand...


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 said:
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that
no one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
Click to expand...


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
Click to expand...

Yes, I like that quick work around idea Denis, very good.
I think I will use that one myself :-)
cheers
Gandalf The Wizard
MCDST, MCSA, MCSE, MCPD, CCNA
 
HankL said:
One question for Windows XP folders Single computer not networked

1) Is there a way that I can password protect a specific folder so that no
one can see its contents and have a password necessary to get into the
folder?
Click to expand...

There is, but it doesn't use anything that's included in XP.

*If* you have XP Pro, not Home or MMC, you can encrypt the folder, but this
will not provide *any* protection once a person is into your account. And
if you do this, you must take the extra steps, which shouldn't be optional
but are, to back up the account credentials.

Again, with the XP tools, once you're in the account, you have access to any
files associated with it. To do what you want, you must use 3rd party
encryption tools.

HTH
-pk
 
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