Password Protection

[Stifler]

Does Windows already have the ability to do this, or are there any programs that let me do this.

I've got people frequently over, and sometimes people putz around on my computer. I've got financial information that I don't want people looking at, but I can't watch over people.

Is there any way I can password protect certain files or folders so people can't get in?

[MixMasta]

Well, my advice would be set up a Guest XP account. Then, if someone at your house wants to use your computer, allow them to use the Guest account only. Then, on your Admin account, right click on the folders which you do not want the guests to have access to, and then click properties, then go to the security tab, at that will allow you to check/uncheck access to the folder (read, write, modify, etc.) and just check Deny for read. I'm on Windows 2000, so it might be a little different for you, but I hope this helps.

[Stifler]

Yeah I've considered doing that, but I'm not a big fan of having guest accounts. I'd really just like to protect certain files/folders, but I might have to make a guest account.

[MidniteArrow]

I'm assuming that you are using Windows XP. Hopefully either MCE 2005 or Pro.

The previous suggestion is a good one. It's not the "standard" XP way, but it will definitely work. I generally don't use the Guest account, although that is standard practice. I would suggest making your own account to allow others to access. I personally make a separate account for all my friends on my XP box so they can set it up however they want and retain their own settings independent of each other.

The more standard way to do this is to make your personal space only visible by you. All of the things in your "documents and settings" space will not be visible to anyone not logged in as you. here's how (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_make_folders_private.mspx)

There is no "password" restriction for files in XP. It does user level security. So when someone logs on as you, they can do anything your user has access to. It's best to just give them their own account, use fast user switching, and set the screensaver to automatically come up at the log-on screen. Some applications, like Excel, do have their own password security at the file level though.

Also - you won't see the security features of the file system unless you turn off simple file sharing. You do this by opening a folder in windows explorer, Click on Tools->Folder Options, scroll down to the bottom, un-check the feature, and dismiss the dialog with the "OK" button. I think that's the process, I'm not on an XP box so I can't test it at the moment.

[Casper]

Nice post Midnite - I just learned a few things too. Welcome to Xo :cheers:

[MidniteArrow]

Thanks Casper, good to be here. I was kept off the forums by work for a while. I came back and XBA was fairly inactive except for all these banners counting down. I finally found my way here though.

[Stifler]

Great help Midnite, welcome to the boards brother. Good to have you here.

[blinx]

lol i should go over to my friends house and either deleted his porn... or make it so he cant access it... lmao...