Password protecting a file and folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter TompangBuddy.Com
  • Start date Start date
W said:
I want to password protect a folder where I keep my passwords. I have
looked online and in the Help on Window XP Professional and can find no
way to do it. Help.
Click to expand...

XP and Vista do not use passwords to protect resources. NT-based operating
systems use permissions (user-based) instead. For your particular case,
you'd be better off using one of these free password managers (or just
zipping the folder and assigning the zipped archive a password):

Password Safe (written by security expert Bruce Schneier and free)
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/

KeePass Password Safe (free)
http://keepass.info/

Here is some more information explaining permissions just in case you want
to know more about 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 configure file sharing in Windows XP (includes information about
permissions):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

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.

Passwording of folders is not supported unless you zip them. When you do
(right click a folder, then "send to > compressed folder") and then open
the zip file, you will find an option under file>"add a password".
Otherwise, use third-party software. Google "password protect folders".
*****

Malke
 
W said:
I want to password protect a folder where I keep my passwords. I have looked
online and in the Help on Window XP Professional and can find no way to do
it. Help.
Click to expand...


And what happens when you forget the password to _that_ folder? Gotta
love the irony of such a question.

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
 
W said:
I want to password protect a folder where I keep my passwords. I have looked
online and in the Help on Window XP Professional and can find no way to do
it. Help.
Click to expand...
You might want to try Password Depot. It's free for up to 20 password
anything over that it's 29.95 I think. I've used it for a long time.

Another source for a password program is SourceForge.net. I remember one
from there being recommended here before but I don't remember the name.
Maybe someone else will post it.

gls858
 
W said:
I want to password protect a folder where I keep my passwords. I have
looked online and in the Help on Window XP Professional and can find
no way to do it. Help.
Click to expand...

You can't password protect but XP does allow you to encrypt a folder for
added security.
1. Select the folder
2. Right click Properties then select Advanced
3. Check the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option
4. Click Apply then OK
 
mizer said:
You can't password protect but XP does allow you to encrypt a folder for
added security.
1. Select the folder
2. Right click Properties then select Advanced
3. Check the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option
4. Click Apply then OK
Click to expand...


Make darn sure that you appoint an encryption Recovery Agent and/or save
your private key because it's only a matter of time when you will be
crying for your files if you don't!

John
 
I want to password protect a folder where I keep my passwords. I have looked
online and in the Help on Window XP Professional and can find no way to do
it. Help.
 
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