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 "
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.
or
You can password protect a branch of folders, such as your personal account on a
computer used by multiple people but you cannot apply a password to a folder or a
file.
You can however 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.
