How can i setup password to my files in Windows OS?

How can i setup password to my files in Windows OS?

 Hi Hallen,

Password protecting files is a really great way to, well, protecting your files especially in a shared or home PC. Yes, there are tools and third party software available to use for putting passwords to files and folders in Windows XP as well as Windows 7. Here are 10 ways you can password protect files and folders, and make other security options:

1. Windows XP Pro – For XP Pro, there is an option of encrypting the file or folder. Encryption is transforming data into codes wherein only the authorized person can understand or Decrypt. A good example is Morse code where each letter has its equivalent combination of beeps. In many ways, this is like a password too.

• Right-click the folder would like to encrypt and select Properties.
• Hit “Advanced”.
• Put a check on “Encrypt contents to secure data”.
• Click Apply, then OK.

2. Windows XP Home Edition – In XP Home, for this security option to work, the hard disk drive must be formatted in NTFS. Also, this can only be done on a folder and it must be in your own username folder. (C:Documents and SettingsYourUsername).

• Right-click the folder would like to encrypt and select Properties.
• Click the Sharing tab.
• Put a check on “Make this folder private”.
• Click Apply, then OK.

3. Windows 7 and Windows Vista – If you’re the Administrator, you can which users can see or use a folder.

• Right-click on the folder you want to limit access to and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab, and hit Edit (pops up a new window).
• Under “Group and User Names”, add or remove the user(s) you want.
• Under “Permissions for Users”, Allow or Deny what kind of privilege you want the users under “Group and User Names” to have.
• Click Apply, then OK.
• A window will appear confirming your setting.

4. TweakUI – Is one of the third party applications that can be used to customize settings on your PC without going through manual changes in the registry and other system locations. Windows XP Home – If you are using XP Home, you will notice that the “Encrypt contents to secure data” is greyed out. TweakUI lets you see and use that option.

• Open TweakUI and select Explorer.
• Under Settings, look for “Show 'Encrypt' on context menu and check the box” on the right hand side of the TweakUI window.
• If you don’t see that option, then get the latest TweakUI.

5. Compress – One of the simplest ways to secure your file is to compress them. If you compress files or folders, there is an option to put in a password. Windows ME and Windows XP have their own compression tool.

6. Universal Shield 4.4 by Everstrike Software – One of the many third party tools for protection. This tool can hide, password-protect, files, folders, drives, start-up programs, uninstall, and other data from local users of your PC, the network and the Internet as well.

7. Protect Folder – Is a very simple and user friendly security utility which lets you lock and unlock a folder in a double-click.

8. Secure Folder – Is another tool for password-protecting and hiding folders. It integrates with Windows Shell enabling users to have a quick and easy way to lock their folders with a few clicks. One of the nice features of this tool is that the Lock/Unlock option is included in the right-click menu. This tool can be used in Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

9. Lock Folder XP – Another third party security tool which will not just do what it says it will, but will do the same with drives and other data. Moreover, it can also protect it from malicious software such as Trojans, worms and viruses.

10. Pismo Private Folder – A simple utility which lets you create a password protected folder called Private Folder where you can, of course, put all the files you want to keep private. With this tool, you can set user access and access privilege.

I hope one or more of these options and tools will help you get the privacy and security you need for your files and folders.

Good luck!