Password protect a folder in Win XP

Doublespresso

Hi all
Probably a silly question with a simple solution.

I want to password protect a folder which contains sensitive files (of various formats). Basically whenever i want to open the folder I'd like to be prompted to enter a password. I intend on saving the folder on a portable USB flash drive as well as keep a backup on my PC.
I used to do this with previous versions of Windows, but I cant see the option on Win XP!

Have I missed it or is there a way of doing this? ..and how secure is it?

Many thanks

smckay

Windows XP Pro Before you can password protect or disable open shares on WindowsXP Pro, you must disable Simple Fire Sharing.

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
3. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)" check box.
4. Click OK. Now, to close your open shares, do the following:
5. Right click My computer on the desktop, then click Manage.
6. Double-Click on Shared Folders.
7. Then, click on Shared Files.
8. In the right-hand pane, you will now see a list of all the files your computer currently has shared.
9. You will see some folders that have names followed by a dollar sign ($). These are administrative shares, and by default are passworded. You cannot remove them. These administrative shares are allowed because they are passworded by default.
10. Right-click the first folder in this list that does not end with the dollar sign (for example c$) and choose "Close share."
11. Repeat this process for each folder in the list. Windows XP Pro automatically creates a Guest Account, which allows anonymous users access to shared resources on your computer. People who attempt to access shared folders that are explicitly shared will not have to enter a password to gain access to those resources. Please be aware that Resnet requires you to have a password for all shared folders on the network, so you will need to password protect your guest account. By default, this account is disabled when Windows XP Pro is installed. If you want to share files with network users, password protect your Guest Account by following the steps below.

1. Right-click on "My Computer" and click on "Manage".
2. Click on "Local Users and Groups" and then click on "Users".
3. Right-click the Guest account in the right portion of the window and select "Properties"
4. The only boxes that should be checked are "Password never expires" and "User cannot change password."
5. Click OK.
6. Right-click on the Guest Account again, and choose "Set Password." Enter a secure password for network users to use when accessing your shares.

i hope this helps

sra

You can't with Home Edition:

Previous Thread

shopbot

Does this help?

1. Open [url="http://mk:@msitstore:C:WINDOWSHelpfilefold.chm::/EXEC=,EXPLORER.EXE, ::!!20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} CHM=ntshared.chm FILE=alt_url_windows_component.htm"]My Computer[/url].
2. Double-click the [url="http://mk:@msitstore:C:WINDOWSHelpfilefold.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_drive"]drive[/url] where Windows is installed (usually drive (C:), unless you have more than one drive on your computer). If the contents of the drive are hidden, under System Tasks, click Show the contents of this drive.
3. Double-click the Documents and Settings folder.
4. Double-click your user folder.
5. Right-click any folder in your [url="http://mk:@msitstore:C:WINDOWSHelpfilefold.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_user_profile"]user profile[/url], and then click Properties.
6. On the Sharing tab, select the Make this folder private so that only I have access to it check box.

matty_c608

Hmm, for me this is best.

http://www.winability.com/folderguard/

Shareware, but VERY Good! Been using it for YEARS!!

Highly Recommend!

Allows different passwords on different folders so different people can protect their own folders

HTH!

matty_c608

Doublespresso wrote:

..and how secure is it?

It is very secure!

It becomes a System Service, and has the highest priority on the system!

As a result it can deny access to the drive before the File Manager can even open it up and display anything!

It's great stuff! Saves you having multiple Login Names and slowing the system down!