Password Protect Folders

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G

Guest

Is it possible to password protect sub-folders in Windows XP? The drive
is NTFS format.

If so, how do I go about this?

Thank you
 
XP Pro can encrypt a folder. Open the Help and Support Center and see
'To encrypt a file or folder'. If you choose to use this feature, be
sure to backup the encryption key. Without the encryption key you cannot
decrypt the folder.

A less drastic approach is to simply move the folder to your user
account. If your account is password protected - it should be - only you
or an Administrator can open the folder.

This method also works in XP Home, which does not have built in encryption.

There are plenty of third party programs that can do encryption. Any
search engine will list dozens. One popular choice is Cryptainer.
 
XP Pro can encrypt a folder. Open the Help and Support Center and see
'To encrypt a file or folder'. If you choose to use this feature, be
sure to backup the encryption key. Without the encryption key you cannot
decrypt the folder.

A less drastic approach is to simply move the folder to your user
account. If your account is password protected - it should be - only you
or an Administrator can open the folder.

This method also works in XP Home, which does not have built in encryption.

There are plenty of third party programs that can do encryption. Any
search engine will list dozens. One popular choice is Cryptainer.
 
XP Pro can encrypt a folder. Open the Help and Support Center and see
'To encrypt a file or folder'. If you choose to use this feature, be
sure to backup the encryption key. Without the encryption key you cannot
decrypt the folder.

A less drastic approach is to simply move the folder to your user
account. If your account is password protected - it should be - only you
or an Administrator can open the folder.

This method also works in XP Home, which does not have built in encryption.

There are plenty of third party programs that can do encryption. Any
search engine will list dozens. One popular choice is Cryptainer.
 
Sandy M said:
Is it possible to password protect sub-folders in Windows XP? The drive
is NTFS format.

If so, how do I go about this?
Click to expand...
No, you don't password protect folders in XP. Instead, you use the
protection mechanism to specify who can access the folder and what they can
do once they have accessed the folder.
A side benefit is that you no longer need to remember such passwords.
Jim
 
Sandy said:
Is it possible to password protect sub-folders in Windows XP? The drive
is NTFS format.

If so, how do I go about this?

Thank you
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

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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. -Bertrum Russell
 
Hi Sandy..

You could also create an encrypted virtual drive, which will then act
as a safe for important documents on your PC. The virutal drive will
work as any other drive on your machine.

Best of all the software to do this is available for free and even as
open source - please check http://www.osalt.com/truecrypt

best regards,
Anders Rasmussen
webmaster
Open Source Alternative - www.osalt.com
 
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