Folder Password Protection in Good Old DOS Days

I understnad from the various posts on this subject that we can not password
protect our folders in Windows XP. We need to but a separate utility from
private developers.
I think this utility was built in the DOS in good old days. Not very sure. I
firmly remember using this facility. Does any one remember ?
I was also wondering as to why Microsoft has not felt it necessary to build
in this elementary feature in their product. They have gone to great lengths
for building super-features (as compared to what it was 10 years ago) in
thier windows. Then how come they have not built this elementary feature ? I
do not think they have OVERLOOKED this aspect. There must be some secret
reasons for it. I feel that they are afraid of 'CRASHING' the system with
folders becoming IRRETRIEVABLE due to some malfunctioning of the password
protection programme.
--
Shrikant

Shrikant wrote:
I understnad from the various posts on this subject that we can not password
protect our folders in Windows XP.


That's true enough.

Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm
doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection
for individual applications, files, or folders. Instead, it uses the
superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to
individual users and/or groups.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired
files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;223316

As a crude work-around, you can place the file in a compressed
folder, and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents. Also, some applications allow the user to password-protect
their specific data files. Read the specific application's Help files
for further information on this capability.


We need to but a separate utility from
private developers.


No, not at all. See the above links for a superior method of securing
folders.


I think this utility was built in the DOS in good old days. Not very sure. I
firmly remember using this facility. Does any one remember ?


Remember *what* utility? How can we remember something you decline to
name?


I was also wondering as to why Microsoft has not felt it necessary to build
in this elementary feature in their product.


See above links for a *superior* method of securing files and folders.
With such a method available, why would Microsoft feel the need to
include an inferior, more cumbersome method?


They have gone to great lengths
for building super-features (as compared to what it was 10 years ago) in
thier windows. Then how come they have not built this elementary feature ?


Perhaps because it was considered far too "elementary" to be of any
real use?


I
do not think they have OVERLOOKED this aspect.


On the contrary, it wasn't overlooked. Instead, it was considered and
discarded as ineffectual.


There must be some secret
reasons for it.


Beyond the obvious reasons, you mean? Hardly.


I feel that they are afraid of 'CRASHING' the system with
folders becoming IRRETRIEVABLE due to some malfunctioning of the password
protection programme.


Nonsense. There's no need for such, so there's no reason to fear their
affects.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Thanks Bruce.
I also liked the Quotes.
--
Shrikant


"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

Shrikant wrote:
I understnad from the various posts on this subject that we can not password
protect our folders in Windows XP.


That's true enough.

Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm
doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection
for individual applications, files, or folders. Instead, it uses the
superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to
individual users and/or groups.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired
files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;223316

As a crude work-around, you can place the file in a compressed
folder, and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents. Also, some applications allow the user to password-protect
their specific data files. Read the specific application's Help files
for further information on this capability.


We need to but a separate utility from
private developers.


No, not at all. See the above links for a superior method of securing
folders.


I think this utility was built in the DOS in good old days. Not very sure. I
firmly remember using this facility. Does any one remember ?


Remember *what* utility? How can we remember something you decline to
name?


I was also wondering as to why Microsoft has not felt it necessary to build
in this elementary feature in their product.


See above links for a *superior* method of securing files and folders.
With such a method available, why would Microsoft feel the need to
include an inferior, more cumbersome method?


They have gone to great lengths
for building super-features (as compared to what it was 10 years ago) in
thier windows. Then how come they have not built this elementary feature ?


Perhaps because it was considered far too "elementary" to be of any
real use?


I
do not think they have OVERLOOKED this aspect.


On the contrary, it wasn't overlooked. Instead, it was considered and
discarded as ineffectual.


There must be some secret
reasons for it.


Beyond the obvious reasons, you mean? Hardly.


I feel that they are afraid of 'CRASHING' the system with
folders becoming IRRETRIEVABLE due to some malfunctioning of the password
protection programme.


Nonsense. There's no need for such, so there's no reason to fear their
affects.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot