Can I password entire directories?

I have a "Personal" directory that I use to store many prive
documents. Rather than password each document, can I set a password
for the entire directory?

Thanks.

George Lutz

gml@cdllawoffice.com wrote:

> I have a "Personal" directory that I use to store many prive
> documents. Rather than password each document, can I set a password
> for the entire directory?

NT-based operating systems (like XP) don't use passwords to protect folders;
they use permissions based on user accounts and user groups. You won't have
this fine-grained ability to set restrictions if you are using XP Home. If
you have Pro, then create user accounts/groups and set restrictions on the
folder accordingly.

Otherwise you can either zip the entire folder and password-protect it
(enter "zip" into XP's Help & Support for details) or use third-party
software (Google for something like "password protect folders")>

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:eaD08OObIHA.4208@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> gml@cdllawoffice.com wrote:
>
>> I have a "Personal" directory that I use to store many prive
>> documents. Rather than password each document, can I set a password
>> for the entire directory?
>
> NT-based operating systems (like XP) don't use passwords to protect
> folders;
> they use permissions based on user accounts and user groups. You won't
> have
> this fine-grained ability to set restrictions if you are using XP Home. If
> you have Pro, then create user accounts/groups and set restrictions on the
> folder accordingly.
>
> Otherwise you can either zip the entire folder and password-protect it
> (enter "zip" into XP's Help & Support for details) or use third-party
> software (Google for something like "password protect folders")>
>
...

Easier might be to encrypt the contents of the folder.
PowerDesk has this as one of its functions. I don't
know how determined your potential intruders are, or
how robust the encryption is, but it should serve for
all but the most sensitive data in an ordinary
environment, and takes no more than a handful of
clicks PLUS REMEMBERING YOUR ENCRYPTION
KEY.