Password Protect Folders?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rainy
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Rainy

Hi, I would like to use XP to password protect a couple of folders, I don't
know if it's possible! Perhaps there is a free program that will allow me
to do this.. one of the folders is full of passwords.. so I would appreciate
knowing.. thanks for any response.. Rainy
 
Rainy said:
Hi, I would like to use XP to password protect a couple of folders, I
don't
know if it's possible! Perhaps there is a free program that will
allow me to do this.. one of the folders is full of passwords.. so I
would appreciate knowing.. thanks for any response.. Rainy
Click to expand...

Windows does not handle permissions by password-protecting folders.
Instead, permissions are granted by user and group. You will need
third-party software, such as WinZip. Here is a Google search that
produced some interesting links:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=password+folder+software&btnG=Google+Search

You can also use Google Groups Advanced Search and look in the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general newsgroup for "password protect
folders" and come up with tons of posts which will be helpful.

Malke
 
Hi Malke, thanks for the response.. and thanks for the links, on one it said
I could right click on the folder and chose sharing and security, when I got
there, it said I had to have windows xp firewall enabled, so I did that..and
when I clicked ok.. the box for "make this folder private" is not
clickable..

Also I have Zone Alarm, may I use both xp and zone alarm side by side?
thanks Rainy

ps. all the programs that were suggested on the link I saw were not free..
can't afford to buy anything on my budget!
 
Rainy said:
Hi, I would like to use XP to password protect a couple of folders, I don't
know if it's possible! Perhaps there is a free program that will allow me
to do this.. one of the folders is full of passwords.. so I would appreciate
knowing.. thanks for any response.. Rainy
Click to expand...


Like Win2K, 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, if you actually prefer Win9x's way, you
can place the file in a compressed folder, and set a password to
uncompress the folder to view/access its contents.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Rainy said:
Hi Malke, thanks for the response.. and thanks for the links, on one
it said I could right click on the folder and chose sharing and
security, when I got there, it said I had to have windows xp firewall
enabled, so I did that..and when I clicked ok.. the box for "make this
folder private" is not clickable..

Also I have Zone Alarm, may I use both xp and zone alarm side by side?
thanks Rainy

ps. all the programs that were suggested on the link I saw were not
free.. can't afford to buy anything on my budget!
Click to expand...


Sounds like you neglected to tell us that you are using Windows XP Home
Edition (rather than the Pro version). You have to reboot and login
under an administrator account to change permissions. That's the joy of
the Home Edition.

Note that even after you change permissions, and even if you remove all
accounts (including the Administrators group) except for your own
account, administrators can still take ownership of your file. If you
are not the administrator of your host (but know the login to change
permissions) but don't want anyone, even an administrator, to see the
contents of your files, you will need to use EFS (encrypting file
system). You will enable EFS, remove all accounts except yours, and be
sure to export the EFS certificate to a floppy to lock away (you'll need
it on a system reinstall or even you will be locked out of your files).
Then the administrators can take ownership of your file but they cannot
read it. Of course, EFS only comes with the Professional version of
Windows XP.

By the way, I don't know what you did, but a firewall enabled or not has
nothing to do with file permissions within NTFS. I don't use the
included Windows Firewall and instead use a 3rd party firewall
(smb.sygate.com) but it has no effect on file permissions.
 
Hi Vanguard, Thanks for all the information, but it's a lot to respond to..
:) First I have windows XP Pro, I am the only one who has access to my
computer..and I also use Zone Alarm, so didn't think i should enable windows
xp since I have heard that it does good for stopping traffic from the net,
but not traffic from my computer to the net.

I already did some googling before I posted my question but didn't find
anything that was easy to understand.. I think a lot of people put
information on the net for technically advanced XP users and not for the
average person. I post my questions here because I need some answers that I
can't find on the net.. or I find them on the net and can't understand what
they are trying to say.. :( it's just too technical or too many steps to get
the result I am after.

If windows does not handle permissions by password protecting folders, then
why did I run into that right click sharing and protection window?(my
answer) I think this might be for home users with more than one person
having access to the computer, and I am not worried about anyone in my home
having access.. it's all those third party pirates from the net that I am
concerned about.

I'm sorry but I am very confused about EFS and administrator privelege..
since I am the administrator and user.. does it apply to me?

You mentioned compressing the folder with Winzip.. using a password,i will
try this! Thanks Vanguard, Rainy

Ok this was in my send file so I added pss.. I tried to compress the folder
using a password, and it seemed to work.. but I tried to access the folder,
and no password was asked for.. so I am sure I did it wrong..any help
appreciated.. thanks

Windows does not handle permissions by password-protecting folders.
Instead, permissions are granted by user and group. You will need
third-party software, such as WinZip. Here is a Google search that
produced some interesting links:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=password+folder+software&btnG=Google+SearchYou can also use Google Groups Advanced Search and look in themicrosoft.public.windowsxp.general newsgroup for "password protect folders"and come up with tons of posts which will be helpful. Sounds like youneglected to tell us that you are using Windows XP Home Edition (rather thanthe Pro version). You have to reboot and login under an administratoraccount to change permissions. That's the joy of the Home Edition.> Notethat even after you change permissions, and even if you remove allaccounts(including the Administrators group) except for your ownaccount,administrators can still take ownership of your file. If you arenot theadministrator of your host (but know the login to change permissions)butdon't want anyone, even an administrator, to see the contents of yourfiles,you will need to use EFS (encrypting file system). You will enableEFS,remove all accounts except yours, and be sure to export the EFScertificateto a floppy to lock away (you'll need it on a system reinstall oreven youwill be locked out of your files). Then the administrators cantakeownership of your file but they cannot read it. Of course, EFS onlycomeswith the Professional version of Windows XP.>> By the way, I don't knowwhat you did, but a firewall enabled or not hasnothing to do with filepermissions within NTFS. I don't use the includedWindows Firewall andinstead use a 3rd party firewall (smb.sygate.com) butit has no effect onfile permissions.>> -->____________________________________________________________> For e-mail,remove "NIX" and add "#LAH" passcode to Subject.>____________________________________________________________>
 
create a zip/compressed folder by right clicking on the desktop. Then add
the folder or folders that you want to password protect to that compressed
folder. Open the compressed folder and under file choose add password.

Rainy said:
Hi Vanguard, Thanks for all the information, but it's a lot to respond to..
:) First I have windows XP Pro, I am the only one who has access to my
computer..and I also use Zone Alarm, so didn't think i should enable windows
xp since I have heard that it does good for stopping traffic from the net,
but not traffic from my computer to the net.

I already did some googling before I posted my question but didn't find
anything that was easy to understand.. I think a lot of people put
information on the net for technically advanced XP users and not for the
average person. I post my questions here because I need some answers that I
can't find on the net.. or I find them on the net and can't understand what
they are trying to say.. :( it's just too technical or too many steps to get
the result I am after.

If windows does not handle permissions by password protecting folders, then
why did I run into that right click sharing and protection window?(my
answer) I think this might be for home users with more than one person
having access to the computer, and I am not worried about anyone in my home
having access.. it's all those third party pirates from the net that I am
concerned about.

I'm sorry but I am very confused about EFS and administrator privelege..
since I am the administrator and user.. does it apply to me?

You mentioned compressing the folder with Winzip.. using a password,i will
try this! Thanks Vanguard, Rainy

Ok this was in my send file so I added pss.. I tried to compress the folder
using a password, and it seemed to work.. but I tried to access the folder,
and no password was asked for.. so I am sure I did it wrong..any help
appreciated.. thanks

Windows does not handle permissions by password-protecting folders.
Instead, permissions are granted by user and group. You will need
third-party software, such as WinZip. Here is a Google search that
produced some interesting links:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=password+folder+software&btnG=Google+SearchYou can also use Google Groups Advanced Search and look in themicrosoft.public.windowsxp.general newsgroup for "password protect folders"and come up with tons of posts which will be helpful. Sounds like youneglected to tell us that you are using Windows XP Home Edition (rather thanthe Pro version). You have to reboot and login under an administratoraccount to change permissions. That's the joy of the Home Edition.> Notethat even after you change permissions, and even if you remove allaccounts(including the Administrators group) except for your ownaccount,administrators can still take ownership of your file. If you arenot theadministrator of your host (but know the login to change permissions)butdon't want anyone, even an administrator, to see the contents of yourfiles,you will need to use EFS (encrypting file system). You will enableEFS,remove all accounts except yours, and be sure to export the
Click to expand...
EFScertificateto a floppy to lock away (you'll need it on a system reinstall oreven youwill be locked out of your files). Then the administrators cantakeownership of your file but they cannot read it. Of course, EFS onlycomeswith the Professional version of Windows XP.>> By the way, I don't knowwhat you did, but a firewall enabled or not hasnothing to do with filepermissions within NTFS. I don't use the includedWindows Firewall andinstead use a 3rd party firewall (smb.sygate.com) butit has no effect onfile permissions.>> -->____________________________________________________________> For e-mail,remove "NIX" and add "#LAH" passcode to Subject.>____________________________________________________________>
 
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 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
 
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