How to password protect system folder/externel hard drive?

[dannaswolcott]

I have some folders with personal info on ( bills bank account info things like that ) and id like to know 1. How to put a password on a folder, So in order to open it you would have to put a password in each time you open it.

Also 2, Id like to know If I can put a password on a external hard drive? I have 2 external hard drives that Id like to put passwords on.

Let me know if this can be done, Thanks

 

[TFT]

You could look at MyLockbox http://www.fspro.net/my-lockbox/
It is free, I use it and it hides the folders from prying eyes. Not sure if it can do anything with drives though.

 

[Hugh9191]

Another good tool to look into is TrueCrypt. That allows you to encrypt a whole drive or make an encrypted folder.

 

[Andy-]

StorageCrypt will encrypt your external Hard Disk too, I believe.

 

[Nikole]

We can password protect the file and folder by following these steps

1. Select the folder you wish to encrypt.
2. Right-click the folder and click Properties.
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Check the box Make this folder private
5. Click Apply and then Ok.

Make this folder private is grayed out

In order for this option to work in Microsoft Windows XP home you must meet the below requirements.

1. The hard disk drive must be formatted in NTFS and not FAT32. Additional information about determining the type of file system your hard disk drive is running can be found on document CH000713.
2. The folder you're attempting to encrypt must be in your own personal folder. For example, if your name is bob, you must be encrypting a folder that is or that is contained within the below folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\Bob\

 

[dannaswolcott]

Thanks everyone, I am gonna give some things a try tonight ill let you know what works the best.