Password Protect 1 folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brandon
  • Start date Start date
B

Brandon

Can you set up a folder to require a password to access
just that folder over a network. When I password protect
an account, you can't access the computer at all on the
network. I want to share a folder, but require a
password to open it over the network. How is this done?

Thanks.
 
Brandon said:
Can you set up a folder to require a password to access
just that folder over a network. When I password protect
an account, you can't access the computer at all on the
network. I want to share a folder, but require a
password to open it over the network. How is this done?
Click to expand...

If the share is on NTFS disk:
Define two groups: one (broad, or even Guests) that can access your share from network,
and another (narrow), that may also access your "special folder" within that share.
Set NTFS permissions for these groups on the root folder of the share and the "special folder".
Then set permissions on the _share_ to allow both groups.
Those who want to get into the "special folder" will need to connect to the share
with username and password belonging only to the second group.
It is possible, even if they logged on with different username (ask your network admin how).

Without NTFS, the "special folder" can not be within a share available to others,
it needs to be a separate share available only to the second group.

Regards,
--PA
 
"Pavel A." said:
If the share is on NTFS disk:
Define two groups: one (broad, or even Guests) that can access your share from network,
and another (narrow), that may also access your "special folder" within that share.
Set NTFS permissions for these groups on the root folder of the share and the "special folder".
Then set permissions on the _share_ to allow both groups.
Those who want to get into the "special folder" will need to connect to the share
with username and password belonging only to the second group.
It is possible, even if they logged on with different username (ask your network admin how).

Without NTFS, the "special folder" can not be within a share available to others,
it needs to be a separate share available only to the second group.

Regards,
--PA
Click to expand...

Brandon, you can do what Pavel suggests if you have XP Professional.
To get access to the NTFS file permissions, you need to disable
"simple file sharing". This web page has details:

Windows XP Professional File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm

However, XP Home Edition doesn't let you set NTFS permissions.

Here are some ways to control access that work in Professional and
Home Edition:

1. Create a hidden share and only tell selected people about it. I've
written a web page with details:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

2. Assign a password to the "Guest" account. When other people try
to access your computer, they'll be prompted to enter the password:

a. Click Start | Run.
b. Type "control userpasswords2" in the box and click OK.
c. Under "Users for this computer", click Guest.
d. Click Reset Password, enter a password, and click OK.

3. Create a compressed folder and define a password for it. Everyone
who accesses the folder, from the local computer or from the network,
must specify the password to access the files in the compressed
folder. This Microsoft Knowledge Base article has details:

HOW TO: Use Compressed (Zipped) Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306531
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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