How to password protect a folder on Windows 7

thehappybutterfly

I know this is technically a question for the Techie board but I think the folks on here might be a bit less judgemental.....

My hubby and I took some, ahem, intimate photos on the camera. My 15YO daughter uses the camera sometimes and obviously I can't let her see these pics. I need to get these pics off the camera and onto the laptop - and into a folder that only I have the password for. I just don't know how to password protect a folder. I've googled and looked on the Techies board but they mention specific software. That's fine - if I need to purchase software I will but I'd prefer a free solution!

Does anyone on here know how to password protect a folder? I've had to avoid mentioning the camera in case she asks for it!

busiscoming2

Is this any good?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-vista/what-is-encrypting-file-system-efs

thehappybutterfly

Don't know busiscoming. There's only one password to get into the laptop and we all know it. If someone uses the master password does that not mean that the folder/files will automatically become decrypted? I'm such a techno-phobe.

busiscoming2

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

Don't know busiscoming. There's only one password to get into the laptop and we all know it. If someone uses the master password does that not mean that the folder/files will automatically become decrypted? I'm such a techno-phobe.[/QUOTE]

Me too :rotfl:

I tried to find the 'encrypt' bit on properties of a folder and couldn't even see it!

arbroath_lass

Could you not just buy a new memory card for the camera and keep your personal one hidden? Or put them on a memory stick and keep that hidden?

I ask because a protected folder is likely to make a teenager VERY curious and they always know someone who can open the folder :eek:

mountainofdebt

Why not transfer the photos onto the computer and then save them onto a memory stick .

Once done you can delete them off the computer (remembering to empty the recycling bin lol)

You can then plug in the memory stick and look at them to your hearts content as and when

Just don't lose the memory stick!

Tropez

There's a few programs that will do it for you.

Personally though, I'd just get a Dropbox account and upload them there. They're not on your computer that way and if you disable the option to load Dropbox on startup your daughter will never even know they exist.

Also, with some cameras and phones, if you're feeling decidedly naughty in the future, you can set the Dropbox ios and Android app to automatically upload to Dropbox so you can destroy the evidence afterwards.

PHARR

Hey Butterfly,

There are many way to protect and hide folders in windows. Some more geeky than others. However have you thought about just a simple hide technique by hiding the folder you want and doing a few easy steps when wanting to view it?

How to hide a folder:

- Right-click the folder you want to hide and select > Properties.
- In the > General tab check the option > Hidden.
- Go to > Advanced change archive and index attributes.
- Click > OK to save your changes.

How to view the folder:

- Open Windows Explorer (open any folder) and go to > Tools > Folder options…
- Within Folder Options switch to the > View tab.
- Under > Files and Folders find the option > Hidden files and folders and select > Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives.
- Click > OK and proceed to hiding a folder

This is a very simple and easy solution than downloading all sorts of software on the system and encrypting etc etc.

Alternatively - Buy a Password Protected USB, Most USB's comes with software already built in which allows you to set a password.

thehappybutterfly

Thanks guys and not one shocked reaction! Hurrah!

I think I might just get a USB and upload them onto there - I think I can manage that! and keep it stashed (with the rest of the naughty stuff!). Like arbroath lass said, teenagers are incredibly nosy and technically savvy - not like us olds! I would be very nervous everytime one of them went on the laptop.

Savvy_Sue

In this case I'd go for the USB stick, but there's something called SafeHouse which allows you to pw protect both areas on a USB stick and on your main computer.

I get on better with that than with the USB stick I had with a pw protected area on it, that stopped working properly so sometimes I couldn't access it.

I have no naughty photos, however. :rotfl:

thehappybutterfly

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

In this case I'd go for the USB stick, but there's something called SafeHouse which allows you to pw protect both areas on a USB stick and on your main computer.

I get on better with that than with the USB stick I had with a pw protected area on it, that stopped working properly so sometimes I couldn't access it.

I have no naughty photos, however. :rotfl:

Neither did I until Friday night - we were determined to make the most of a night away from the kids! :rotfl: