Password Protect Directories in XP

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zahir · #1 Post by **zahir** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:28 am

Is there a way to password protect windows directories? I know there are a couple of paid softwares out there to do this but is there an inbuilt or free way to do this in XP?

Thanks....

Puppy · #2 Post by **Puppy** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:31 am

NTFS supports file encryption.

zahir · #3 Post by **zahir** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:40 am

how do i achieve that without zipping or compressing the folder?

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:46 am

The encrypt attribute is separate from the compress attribute, so there is no need to compress. ... JDH

zahir · #5 Post by **zahir** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:49 am

i encrypted a folder but its still open for access to anyone who accesses my comp. perfect solution would be a password.... any clues?

Puppy · #6 Post by **Puppy** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:45 am

You can change file access permissions to particular user (you) only on Security tab of file Properties dialog. The "password" will be your login. IOW it does not ask you for password but if another user logs onto the machine s/he will not be able to access the folder.

Don't forget to backup the certificate created by operating system for the file encryption !

#7 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:46 am

zahir wrote:i encrypted a folder but its still open for access to anyone who accesses my comp. perfect solution would be a password.... any clues?

It is true that others can see the documents (that is, the folder list), but they should not be able to open them. Only the encryptor should be able to open the documents. Make sure the folder is not otherwise shared.

The other thing to do is to restrict the security to only administrators and yourself for the folders in question. Then others cannot even access the folder.
... JDH

zahir · #8 Post by **zahir** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:49 am

ok.... again, any password protection programs like folder guard?

Puppy · #9 Post by **Puppy** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:59 am

All these "password" applications are based on custom kernel file drivers. I would never install anything like that. The NTFS file protection is sufficient. You sholudn't give your login to anyone.

zahir · #10 Post by **zahir** » Sat May 05, 2007 10:40 am

yeah but u know how it is right, sometimes u leave ur laptop on and go into the other room, i dont want anyone going thru my files as such

bontistic · #11 Post by **bontistic** » Sat May 05, 2007 4:59 pm

zahir wrote:i dont want anyone going thru my files as such

How about setting a password protected screen saver or locking the computer before you leave your desk?

Not sure if this will help but isn't there a way to take/change ownership of the encrypted file?

Rick the Green · #12 Post by **Rick the Green** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:56 pm

What about Microsoft private folder 1.0 ?

Rick

#13 Post by **tomh009** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:02 pm

Microsoft Private Folder would do it. If you decide to use it, google for the download as Microsoft has removed the download due to backlash from IT departments who did not want employees encrypting folders that IT cannot manage.

And, no permissions and encryption really won't help if it's someone sitting at your computer in your logged-in session -- as far as Windows knows, it is you!

egibbs · #14 Post by **egibbs** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:05 am

Check out TrueCrypt

#15 Post by **gator** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:32 pm

Another up for Microsoft Private folder. You can find it here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/L ... lder.shtml

zahir · #16 Post by **zahir** » Tue May 08, 2007 3:06 am

does the thing im looking for

Password Protect Directories in XP

Password Protect Directories in XP

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