How to lock or password protect folders in windows xp with and without any software.
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I just received a mail from one of the readers of Technix Update asking for a method of locking any folder in win Xp ,this is most often asked question about windows xp and quite important question as per the security point of view.
When you would want some folders to be protected ?
If you share a computer with other users and want some extra security on your folders ? There are two ways to password protect a folder built into Windows XP.
Method 1: Password Protect any folder in windows xp(without any software).
Requirement: Your hard drive must be formatted using NTFS.
1. Right-click on the folder go to “Properties“.
2. Click the “Sharing” tab and check the box which says “Make this folder private“.
3. When you click on the apply button and your account is not protected with a password then a new window will pop up asking for the password to protect that folder.
4. That’s it done.
Note: You will need to use the password you had specified for the folder to log on to your computer from then on.
Method 2: Password Protect any folder in windows xp(using some free software).
Requirement: Nothing but only windows xp on any file system.
So , if the folder you want to protect is not the NTFS File system then you would have to use a freeware like Hide Files and Folders for windows xp It is a password-protected security utility working at Windows kernel level you can use to password-protect certain files and folders, or to hide them securely from viewing and searching just with a click of mouse.
Download Hide Files and Folder Locking Utility For Win Xp
If you have any problem in locking the folders in windows xp with a password using any of the above method please leave a comment here i will be glad to answer you.
Author + Admin: Abhishek BhatnagarSoftware Engineer by profession and blogger by passion, I blog about computer tips and tricks and solutions for computer problems. You can connect with me at twitter or know more about me on www.abhishekbhatnagar.com.
great tip.. thanks
Didnt understand how to password protect the folders
in winxp prof with disk FAT, hide i know bt how to paswrd protect the folders
my folder properties >> sharing tab fades the check button Keep This Folder Private.
please help
my hard Disk is formatted with NTFS i am using OS Windows Xp 2004 with services now i want to how to give password to my folder sothat any persone should not open my folder
Sir, I would like to view restriced websites in a DNS/Proxy environment. Give me the solution so that I can access all the websites on the internet including the restricted ones. Thanks and Regards – Masood Ahmad -
I am using Windows XP SP2 and my hard drive is formatted in the NTFS file system, however when I go to the folder properties the “Make this Folder Private” button is faded out. This is the case for all folders on my system except for the System Users’ “My Documents” folders. Is there a way I can remedy this?
Please instruct me how to create a password to protect folders ( i am using windows XP incuding winRAR zip )
tried your tip to password protect folders in win xp with ntfs file system.
the make folder private box is not checkable(faded out) how can i repair?
thanks
what is the software for method # 2
And Michael the private box only can be checked if the computer has multiple user accounts.
Thanks for the tip, but it’s not what I was looking for. It doesn’t specify that multiple accounts are needed. I’m looking for the ability to password restrict a folder on a single use/single account PC. IE, when I or ANYONE clicks on that folder, a password is required to view the contents.
I’m amazed that this isn’t built into XP already.
did u get responce for above comments, if so, please share it with me, me also searching for same requirement,
hi iam giri , i have a problem in my office
in my office every user having unternet they are using so much yhjey spend lot of time on internet so i want to block all web sites eccpet my company web site
please give some sollution how its possible please send to my mail
Why is it that the majority of people leaving comments are illiterate? If you expect someone to take the time to help you on a problem, take the extra ten seconds to look over what you wrote so it does not sound like my daughter in kindergarten is asking for help.
pls i want to knw how to put a password with a vista on a folder. thanks
gigi..why don’t you consider the fact that not the whole world speak english, maybe those you called illiterate are way smarter than you, it just might be not their first language!!
Great Tip! I also have some tipical tips, contact me – Mahfooz’s Blog
for giving password to folder:
in shairing tab make this folder is not activated to protect a folder.so how it will activated.
My system is in NTFS file system but “make this folder is private ” option is enabled for the folders which are in desktop only.
for the remaining folders which are in D:, E: drives this option is disabled.
i.e.the check box is disabled.
Please give me an advice regarding this
Thank You!
you can download winsesame it works well :
http://www.aragonsoft.com/en/winsesame/
Thanks for winsesame it’s ok. Good!
I like program MyFolder. It allows to password-protect and hide any folder on PC. You can download it absolutely free here http://virtual-protect.com
I have one problem,
I have make the partition in my hard drive C,D,E,f respectively
now i want to make the F drive lock which can not be opened by any one else except the administrator login.
so how can i make it possible without using any kind of softwares
please anyone is there to solve this problems??????
[...] have already posted a lot more on file and folder locking previously like how to lock folders in XP with and with out software and also how can you create super hidden folder in [...]
Using XP. I want to password protect an external disk drive. The usual “properties”, “sharing” option does not work, either adisk drive level or, surprisings, at folder level. the “make private” tick box is greyed out.
Any suggestions?
P
Is there any possible solution in FAT system, to lock the folder with password?
Hello Sir,
I have followed the same method to protect my folder with passwords. However the problem is “make my folder private” option is disable…How can I enable it…plz respond…
Thanks in advance
Preeti
hello dear my name is noman and im from pakistan im using window xp but i have prob im following ur tips but its not working i mean its disabled plz tell me any solution
I want a file present in c drive to be lock using password but in case i have to share my c drive for other user, my lock folder cant opened or viewed by the other user & in another case if my hardware applied to another computer then also any other user or on any system the lock folder cant view or open except mine.Please Give a good idea. I cant format my hardware so please give good idea.Looking forward to hear from anyone.
Hello Sir,
I have followed the same method to protect my folder with passwords. However the problem is “make my folder private” option is disable…How can I enable it…plz respond…
Thanks in advance
Anil
I have some problem. how we can break the password of bios. tell me urgently.
thanks man for the post… but in using the hide files and folders software you mention i think there is a litle problem… yes you can protect the files and folders in a specific drive… but since the restriction follow on the path of the folder it is protecting, when you copy the folder to another location then the restriction will be useless… it will not be password protected anymore…so what does it mean? if you want to opent the restricted file just copy it to other loacation and wooop you can open the folder…. i know another software that protect the folder and i think it is moreeffective.. try lockbox… it is free…
thank…
Hello Sir,
I have followed the same method to protect my folder with passwords. However the problem is “make my folder private” option is disable…How can I enable it…plz respond…
I am using Windows XP SP2 and my hard drive is formatted in the NTFS file system, however when I go to the folder properties the “Make this Folder Private” button is faded out. This is the case for all folders on my system except for the System Users’ “My Documents” folders. Is there a way I can remedy this?
please mail me……
Thanks you help lock my files from my brother taking my important files!!
THANKS MAN!!
When I click make my folders private it comes up with a box, setting folder permissions, and then the box vanishes.
Help!
I am using Windows XP SP2 and my hard drive is formatted in the NTFS file system, however when I go to the folder properties the “Make this Folder Private” button is faded out. This is the case for all folders on my system except for the System Users’ “My Documents” folders. Is there a way I can remedy this?
I am using Windows XP SP2 and my hard drive is formatted in the NTFS file system, however when I go to the folder properties the “Make this Folder Private” button is faded out.
Hi
I have xp pro with ntfs, but there is no option Make folder private.
suggest asap.
Help me please, i can’t removed yahoo messenger 9.0 from my computer. Any idea for me?
why “make my folder private” check box is uncheckable?
I have followed the same method to protect my pdf file with password. However the problem is “make my folder private” option is disable…How can I enable it…plz respond…
the method1 u have given over here locking the entire user account.i need a way how to lock a particular folder even if any other person logged in through my account.that means creating password for one particular folder..
how protect my folders in windows Xp SP2
The best way is to use winsesame. This powerfull tool is simple to operate. It uses 6 encryption algorithms and allows you to protect files or foldres on your pc, external drives, usb flash drive and network. The protected folders and files can be sent by mail. I think it’s currently the most powerfull software to protect files and folders against unauthorized access.
How about Hide Folder XP?
Sir
I want to create a folder on workgroup with user name and password , i am able to create this but the issue is that administrator user name and password is working there , its not safer for me