How do I password protect my folders in Vista?

ashegam

Member
Mar 4, 2005
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In XP there was an add on you could download from Microsoft that allowed you to add passwords to which ever folder you want.

But I can't find anything for Vista. Maybe something with encryption too.

Any suggestions?
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
How 'bout just limiting access to the users you want with permissions?

i don't remember any add on for xp

otherwise truecrypt might do what you want.
 

ashegam

Member
Mar 4, 2005
49
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I did checkout truecrypt, interesting software. I need something that just needs a password and that's all. Like "locknote". it's just a notepad with password capability. No software to install etc..
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Better security yet. Keep such folders on a thumb drive. You just don't leave them on the public machine or office machine. I use a 4 GB Firefly that lives on my car keys.
 

ChAoTiCpInOy

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
6,442
1
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Create a Truecrypt container?

Edit: Use traveler mode. You don't need to install any software, just the drivers.
 

QuixoticOne

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
1,855
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"...no software to install...." -- Vista doesn't have such a capability that I'm aware of in all of its editions including the most common ones (home / starter / etc.). They crippled or removed the disk/file/folder encryption, they took away the ability to make password protected zip files (which is present in XP), they crippled the file/folder sharing to remove most of the fine grained access controls to shared resources.

If you want a solution that generically works on Vista(any version), you need (AFAIK) to use 3rd party software to accomplish the task.

Truecrypt, 7-Zip, SecureZip, GPG, PGP, et. al. would appear to be potential solutions for password based security.

If you have a less crippled version of Vista you might be able to do something with its file/folder encryption, filesystem permissions, or network/folder sharing security options.

If you just want a notepad type program that stores its files encrypted with a password they exist, but, again, it is 3rd party s/w.