Secure or Password protect a folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob S
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob S

I use XP Pro SP2 and desire to secure (and preferably password protect a
folder, or at least a file. I have found the ability to right click the
folder and select properties | security and select "deny" for all of the
"permissions for administrators". I have 3 specific questions about this.

1. I have 3 options in the "Groups or user names": "Administratior", "Bob"
(note I am an administrator), and "System". Can I deny permissions to
"general users" by highlighting the "System" option?
2. If I do this, log onto my account, and step away from my compter, can
someone else step up to my computer and access the folder wtih using a
password?
3. Is there a way to password protect a folder?

Thanks for your help.
Bob
 
Bob S said:
3. Is there a way to password protect a folder?
Click to expand...

Right-click on the folder, and select "Properties". Next, on the "General"
tab click on the "Advanced" button. Finally, click on "Encrypt contents to
secure data". (See
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308989&sd=tech). SAVE
A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE (see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316/EN-US/).

Whenever you walk away from your computer, hold down the "Windows" key and
type "L" to lock it.

Have fun!
 
MichaelHensley said:
Right-click on the folder, and select "Properties". Next, on the
"General" tab click on the "Advanced" button. Finally, click on
"Encrypt contents to secure data". (See
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308989&sd=tech).
SAVE A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE (see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316/EN-US/).

Whenever you walk away from your computer, hold down the "Windows" key
and type "L" to lock it.

Have fun!
Click to expand...

Do *not* use MS EFS encryption unless you are *very* *very* sure you
know what you are doing. Many techs (including myself) call EFS "the
delayed Recycle Bin". Instead, here is information about permissions
and folder protection:

XP does not use passwords to protect resources. It uses permissions
instead. Here is information to help you with 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: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

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
 
See below for comments.

Malke said:
Do *not* use MS EFS encryption unless you are *very* *very* sure you
know what you are doing. Many techs (including myself) call EFS "the
delayed Recycle Bin". Instead, here is information about permissions
and folder protection:

XP does not use passwords to protect resources. It uses permissions
instead. Here is information to help you with 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: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

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
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"
Click to expand...

Thanks Malke.
I tried this and got a message saying that it could not create output file.
bob
 
Bob said:
See below for comments.
Click to expand...
Thanks Malke.
I tried this and got a message saying that it could not create output
file. bob
Click to expand...

Tried what? There was a lot of information in those posts and it is
unclear what you did. Tell us exactly what you tried. Here's your
original post with some comments inline:

"I use XP Pro SP2 and desire to secure (and preferably password protect
a folder, or at least a file. I have found the ability to right click
the folder and select properties | security and select "deny" for all
of the "permissions for administrators". I have 3 specific questions
about this."

"1. I have 3 options in the "Groups or user names": "Administratior",
"Bob"
(note I am an administrator), and "System". Can I deny permissions to
"general users" by highlighting the "System" option?"

Do not do this. Instead, since you have XP Pro, make a new user group
from the Computer Management>Local Users and Groups section in your
Administrative Tools. Assign users to that new group, making sure you
also include Administrator and yourself. Now you can set permissions on
the folder/files to only allow members of that particular group access.
Go to the links I gave you and do some reading. For your convenience,
here are the ones you should look at:

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: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

"2. If I do this, log onto my account, and step away from my compter,
can someone else step up to my computer and access the folder wtih
using a password?"

If you are a member of the new group you've made (and of course you
would be) then the answer to Question 2 is "of course" because your
user is the one who is logged in. To prevent this, make sure your
computer requires a user account and password to log on and your
screensaver/power options require a password when resuming. When you
step away, as you've already been told, lock the computer with Windows
key + L.

"3. Is there a way to password protect a folder?"

As you've already been told, you protect computer resources with
permissions, not passwords. Otherwise, use XP's built-in zipping
facility and assign a password as Mr. Hensley told you. Refer to XP's
Help & Support for "zipping" for more information. Or you can use
third-party software like WinZip.

Malke
 
Thanks Malke. I was trying to zip a a folder, when it told me thta it could
not create the output file. I do not know why I got that message. But it
is working for me now. I am sorry I was unclear. You and Michael Hensley
have helped. Thanks again.
Bob

"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". "
 
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