Can I Password Protect a Folder on Windows XP Home?

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Password protecting a folder can be achieved through various methods. Compressing the folder with software like WinZip, WinRAR, or WinAce allows users to set a password and delete the original folder. Additionally, there are free encryption and folder protection software options available. For Windows XP Pro users with NTFS, folders can be secured so that only the user has access, and the Encrypting File System (EFS) can be utilized to encrypt folder contents. To set permissions, right-click the folder, access the security tab for NTFS, or the advanced settings for EFS. Users with FAT file systems can convert to NTFS without data loss by using the command 'convert [drive_letter:] /fs:NTFS', though a backup is recommended. Windows XP Home does not support EFS, but NTFS security features can still be used to restrict folder access. Simple alternatives include hiding the folder or renaming it using special characters.
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Wonder if there's any way to password protect a normal folder?!
 
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compress the folder with winzip, winace, winrar etc. put a password on that and delete the original.
 
... and there are a number of (even free) encryption software, folder hide, block, permission etc. software for doing the trick. Just look at any security related software 'archive'.
 
If you are using Windows... XP pro and you are using NTFS you can lock down the folder so only you can access it... Also you can use (only with XPpro) EFS which will encrypt the folder and contents and only allow you to access it...
 
Anttech said:
If you are using Windows... XP pro and you are using NTFS you can lock down the folder so only you can access it... Also you can use (only with XPpro) EFS which will encrypt the folder and contents and only allow you to access it...
Interesting.. but how do you do that?
 
right click the folder and go to the security tab for NTFS
Right click the folder and click on advanced on the general tab for EFS

If you have FAT as your file system you can convert it to NTFS by issuing the 'convert [dive_letter:] /fs:NTFS'

This won't formate your dive just convert the file tables so u won't loose any data.. of course do a backup first...
 
I have WinXP home. Is there anyway I can use this feature?
 
what are you needing to password protect a folder for?

if you want, a simple solution would be to merely hide the folder, and even rename it to " " useing alt 0160 to input the space command...
 
Thanks for your time every body. its been great help
 
  • #10
eNathan said:
I have WinXP home. Is there anyway I can use this feature?

EFS isn't supported with XP home, but NTFS is, so you can 'lock down' any folder you want using NTFS security features
 
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