Password on Folders...

Is it possible?

Published on January 29, 2006 By RPGFX In Windows XP

Ok... just wondering. Is it possible to make a single folder password protected? I want to password protect my folder with all my finacial info. Any help would be great. I'm running Windows XP Home.

Comments (Page 1)

Jafo

on Jan 29, 2006

Lock Folder XP Lite 3.2 * README FILE * November 20, 2003
================================================================================
http://www.everstrike.com info@everstrike.com
================================================================================

RPGFX

on Jan 30, 2006

Thanks Jafo... I'll try that out!

RPGFX

on Jan 30, 2006

Well, unfortunately, that's not really what I was looking for... that just really makes folders invisible. I want something that just makes you type in a password when you try to open the folder. Thanks, though.

RPGFX

on Jan 30, 2006

Although it does say that it enables you to password protect folders... just not seeing it anywhere. Do you use this program? If so, any help on how to just password protect a folder without making it invisible?

Rapid Host

on Jan 30, 2006

are you making sure its the right program? i wnet there and there are more then 1, you want this

http://www.everstrike.com/lock_folder.htm

RPGFX

on Jan 30, 2006

Yes I have the right program. But the only way I see to password protect anything is to add it to the locked list, and password protect the actual opening of the list. That makes the file not appear in the folder where it actually is. I have to open the locked list and unlock it in order to access it. I just want to be able to password protect a folder... no more, no less... and still have it in the folder where it belongs. Just double click it to open it like any other folder, only then I'm prompted for a password. As far as I can see, this program does not offer that option. I know I'm being pretty specific in what I'm looking for, but that's just what I am looking for, ya know? I don't even know if it exists...

Bichur

on Jan 30, 2006

as a slightly less than irritating workaround until you find your solution: could you not create another account that requires a password to logon just to hold that info? you could still access it from your side through the folder paths but you should get a password prompt prior to it letting you in.

Island Dog

on Jan 30, 2006

Here is one to look at.

http://www.jumaros.de/rsoft/index.html

Phoon

on Jan 30, 2006

This isn't quite what you are looking for but it's a good idea to deter theft of the file(s).

Found this info at...

Link

Microsoft Windows XP home users

1. Select the folder you wish to encrypt.
2. Right-click the folder and click Properties.
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Check the box Make this folder private

Make this folder private is grayed out

In order for this option to work in Microsoft Windows XP home you must meet the below requirements.

1. The hard disk drive must be formatted in NTFS and not FAT32. Additional information about determining the type of file system your hard disk drive is running can be found on document CH000713.
2. The folder you're attempting to encrypt must be in your own personal folder. For example, if your name is bob, you must be encrypting a folder that is or that is contained within the below folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\Bob\

You cannot encrypt any folders outside of this folder. If you wish to encrypt outside this folder see the below other security solution...

Hope it helps a tad

Chris TH

on Jan 30, 2006

In order for this option to work in Microsoft Windows XP home you must meet the below requirements.

I would also add that to see these options I think you need 'Simple File Sharing" (or whatever it is...) turned on.

I do not have simple file sharing enabled (on my XP Pro system) and there are no encryption options at all! I wonder how to get this option in this case?

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

Chris TH

on Jan 30, 2006

I just want to be able to password protect a folder... no more, no less... and still have it in the folder where it belongs. Just double click it to open it like any other folder, only then I'm prompted for a password.

I've been looking for a solution like this also... but thinking it through, when you consider the physical structure of the files on the HDD, the folder is just a directory entry & the files within are simply laid out on the disk.

Protecting the 'folder' really requires protecting all the files within it, otherwise any sort of raw disk sector snooping tool could be used to look for the data in the folder.

This, in turn, means some sort of on-the-fly password-based encryption. Thus it can be made to look seamless but will probably mean a slight performance hit.

Here is a freeware utility I'm going to try: http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/ which appears reasonably painless.

Daiwa

on Feb 04, 2006

I think there is a way to set folder permissions in a network environment, wherein only certain permitted logons can have access to restricted folders on the server. I'm not sure how to do that on a standalone machine where multiple users use a single logon, though. I would think that would be a very handy utility, however, and you'd think someone would have thought up a way to do it already.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Frogboy

on Feb 05, 2006

Ironically, Object Desktop for OS/2 had this feature. It was quite powerful too. Maybe one day we'll get to putting it on Windows.

Daiwa

on Feb 06, 2006

Ah, the ironies of the Betamax/VHS phenomenon.

Something for your ToDo list, Brad.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Island Dog

on Feb 06, 2006

That would be a great utility.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!