[hidyjane]

Hi

Does anyone know how to password protect folders on Windows XP?

At the moment I keep all my files on a second hard drive installed on my main computer and anyone on my computer or network can access these files, which is fine for most of them.

I would like to be able to make a few files password protected so only I and another person can access those certain folders, but I do want to make all the folders password protected as they are used regulary by others.

Any ideas on how this can be achieved?

Thanks Hidyjane

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Without using any additional software you can assign a password to each file within an XP 'zip folder'. Although the zip-folder can still be opened, any file within it will generate a password-prompt if one has been assigned to it.

1. Create a new zip-folder (Right-click on desktop or in a window->New->Compressed (zipped) folder.
2. Open the zip folder and drag or copy/paste your files into it.
3. Right-click empty area in the zip-folder windows and choose "Add a password"

The password is now applied to all the files within that zip-folder, but it only applies to those files which are present at the time you create the password.
If you add any new files to that zip-folder, they are not automatically protected and anyone can open them.
Therefore, you will have to 'remove' the existing password (right-click) and perform "add a password" again.
Once again, all files in that folder will be protected, both old ones and new ones.
That's a very annoying shortcoming of using the built-in method. You should be able to simply put new files in there
without going through the password creation again, but alas it doesn't work like that.

Alternative is to use a third-party utility. Only free one I could find in a hurry is here: http://www.canadianc...de_Folders.html

If you're willing to pay for a shareware solution there are many to choose from. Just type password protect files or folders into a Google search box.

Edited by pip22, 27 February 2008 - 04:06 AM.

[pip22]

Without using any additional software you can assign a password to each file within an XP 'zip folder'. Although the zip-folder can still be opened, any file within it will generate a password-prompt if one has been assigned to it.

1. Create a new zip-folder (Right-click on desktop or in a window->New->Compressed (zipped) folder.
2. Open the zip folder and drag or copy/paste your files into it.
3. Right-click empty area in the zip-folder windows and choose "Add a password"

The password is now applied to all the files within that zip-folder, but it only applies to those files which are present at the time you create the password.
If you add any new files to that zip-folder, they are not automatically protected and anyone can open them.
Therefore, you will have to 'remove' the existing password (right-click) and perform "add a password" again.
Once again, all files in that folder will be protected, both old ones and new ones.
That's a very annoying shortcoming of using the built-in method. You should be able to simply put new files in there
without going through the password creation again, but alas it doesn't work like that.

Alternative is to use a third-party utility. Only free one I could find in a hurry is here: http://www.canadianc...de_Folders.html

If you're willing to pay for a shareware solution there are many to choose from. Just type password protect files or folders into a Google search box.

Edited by pip22, 27 February 2008 - 04:06 AM.

[hidyjane]

Thanks for the response

Unfortunately zip file are out of the question. I need to constantly view/change the files. I'll try a goggle search unless they're any other ideas?

Thanks
Hidyjane

[Will_00]

Yes there a numerous different ways. I address these Site name removed.

[hidyjane]

Hey Will! That looks really good! I haven't tested it yet, I will let you know how I get on with it!

Thanks!

[Will_00]

No Problem.

[hfcg]

Hello,
May I suggest that you look at this as well.

[hidyjane]

Hi Hfcg

I was just looking into this, looks like the perfect solution. Great idea as the permissions will be based on certain computer user logins. I have not used this feature yet so am a bit dubious as to whether it will work with users from different computers. Although I think I can create users on the "store" computer which match their logins on their networked computers? Just a thought. Definitely worth trying out though, what do you think?

Heidi

[hidyjane]

Will
I'm afraid it did not work. I think I followed your instructions. I created the folders and files, but when I clicked on the "loc.bat" file all it did was rename the file I called test. I could still access the folder and the test file. Might have something to do with Vista? I will test it on an XP comp and let you know the outcome.
Maybe I missed something?

[hfcg]

This would be a secure, yet simple solution.
You can search Microsft self help for articles like this one .

[hidyjane]

This would be a secure, yet simple solution.

Certainly would be, and a secure and simple solution is exellent! Thanks hfcgexcellent. I will test this tomorrow on my computers and see what happens!