Password protect folders in XP?

MarineCorps said:
This only secures programs, not folders or even documents :(
Souron said:
If the folder is located in your user name folder, only you can veiw it (assuming you have an admin account).
But I am the only user on my computer, so it doesn't even prompt to login at startup.
Perfection said:
Put it on a CD and put it in a safe, that's the best way
But then it's too much of a hassle to get out again.
kcwong said:
Native to XP:

Right-click on folder. Select Properties. Select General tab, click Advanced button. There's a "Encrypt contents to secure data" check box.

For more help/info/troubleshooting, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...bleencrypt.mspx

EDIT: A better guide found:
http://www.practicalpc.co.uk/comput.../xpencrypt1.htm
But that doesn't promt for a pw before opening. Am I missing something :confused:
 
It depends on against what you want to protect your files/foldes with a password.
You can make Windows XP ask your login and password upon startup and just have 2 accounts (yours + administrator) and passwords on each. That way nobody can access your files without either booting knoppix or removing the HDD.

If you want more you can use the file encryption feature that comes with windows 2k and XP. it's easy, all you have to do is tick the box and it's good.
Windows does all the technical stuff in the background and unless you are interested in encryption stuff I won't start the technical yadda yadda :p
The advantage of the file encryption is that the methods mentioned above don't work. TH eonly way to get at those files is to login with your name/password.
 
So If I enctypted a game file and someone else on another logging tried to play the game it would not work?
 
Flintlock said:
This only secures programs, not folders or even documents :(

Hide your folders then in the windows folder.;) Thats where I hid all my stuff I would rather not my parents see least they ban me from the internet :mischief:
 
MarineCorps said:
So If I enctypted a game file and someone else on another logging tried to play the game it would not work?

afaik everyone who has access to the files according to the file/folder permissions can decrypt the files.
never tried it but MS sez it works :goodjob:
 
Black_Hole said:
you could create a zip, put your files in it and then password protect that zip

That's even more dangerous than not protecting your files... because you *thought* your files are secure but actually they are not.

The ZIP protection is very easy to break. There're tools out there already.
 
kcwong said:
That's even more dangerous than not protecting your files... because you *thought* your files are secure but actually they are not.

The ZIP protection is very easy to break. There're tools out there already.

Plus your files could get corruted in the zip file. Has happened to me several times recently. :(
 
you can password protect your login by actually adding a pw to your admin account. Go look around in user groups in control panel. If needed, also password protect your screensaver...
 
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