Re: password protection for specific directories



Sun Devil Dave wrote:
Hello. I have XP Home Edition on my laptop, and it's a stand-alone machine (not on a network). Although there's a User Profile Login when I first boot up that restricts access to the whole computer, what I really want is to set up password protection for a few specific directories. Can anyone tell me how to do this (or if it's even an option)? Thanks so much.


Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection for individual applications, files, or folders. Instead, it uses the superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to individual users and/or groups.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

As a crude work-around, you can place the file in a compressed folder, and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its contents. Also, some applications allow the user to password-protect their specific data files. Read the specific application's Help files for further information on this capability.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Passwords for File Sharing
    ... I had the ability to safely share files on a network occupied by other other computers outside my work group by requiring a password before granting access to my shared drives and folder. ... I suspect MSFT wants you to buy XP Pro or set up an NT server in order to get password protection, ... it uses the superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to individual users and/or groups. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Adding A Password To A New Drive Partition
    ... cumbersome method of password protection for individual applications, ... assigning file/folder permissions to individual users and/or groups. ... HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: File security
    ... cumbersome method of password protection for individual applications, ... assigning file/folder permissions to individual users and/or groups. ... HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Password Protect Folders
    ... the cumbersome method of password protection for individual ... of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to individual users ... HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions ... HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: password protecting folders/drives???
    ... Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection for individual applications, files, or folders. ... HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP ... They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)