Windows XP: Why can't I make this folder private?

Peter Principle

I've got a folder of important...information...that I don't want other XP accounts to have access to. But when I go to the folder and right clicked to Properties/Sharing Tab the check box that says "Make this folder private" is greyed out. Why would this be the case?

It appears that the only folders I can make private are the folders in My Documents. The login I'm trying to do this from was (I thought) a "super user" (edit - i.e. admin) account, shouldn't I be able to change the privacy settings for all the folders on this computer?

Not Sarastro

:roll:

If you want to hide your porn folder, just stick it unhidden way down several levels in the subfolders of Windows System or the like, and call it /j0%20bg888£50f or similar, so nobody will ever find it...

Alternatively, you might not have network admin privileges from XP even if you have computer admin privileges. I believe you need network admin to change network sharing. Not entirely sure, but you can probably still just hide it with the computer admin and it won't be seen on the rest of the network, even though it will be accessible if people are looking hard.

TL DR

Here.

Peter Principle

I'd rather not use 3rd party software, especially if it's only going to work 35 times.

If you want to hide your porn folder, just stick it unhidden way down several levels in the subfolders of Windows System or the like, and call it /j0%20bg888£50f or similar, so nobody will ever find it...

I can make the My Documents folder private, and I could move it there, but I'd rather not go moving this folder around, since I have a program or two pointed toward it, and I don't want to change those associations if I don't have to.

Alternatively, you might not have network admin privileges from XP even if you have computer admin privileges. I believe you need network admin to change network sharing. Not entirely sure, but you can probably still just hide it with the computer admin and it won't be seen on the rest of the network, even though it will be accessible if people are looking hard.

This computer is networked with another computer, but that's not my concern. What I'm worried about is the "limited" accounts getting to this folder. (BTW, this is a home computer running Windows XP Pro SP2.) And in the larger scheme of things I would like to know why I can't make these other folders private, because it seems like I should be able to. When I installed, did I somehow not give my admin account full permissions? Does XP only allow you to make My Documents folders and subfolders private? Etc.

LifeVirusZERO

Peter Principle wrote: »

This computer is networked with another computer, but that's not my concern. What I'm worried about is the "limited" accounts getting to this folder. (BTW, this is a home computer running Windows XP Pro SP2.) And in the larger scheme of things I would like to know why I can't make these other folders private, because it seems like I should be able to. When I installed, did I somehow not give my admin account full permissions? Does XP only allow you to make My Documents folders and subfolders private? Etc.

From what I remember, it's a pain in the arse to make folders private with XP home. Gimme a few minutes and I'll see what I can find.

*EDIT* Ok a little googling got me this result: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000705.htm#2

Apparently I had it the other way around, haha. Basically your HDD has to be NTFS formatted and you can only encrypt folders in your "C:\Documents and Settings\whateveryournameis" directory. Also make sure your account has a password set or other admin accounts can still access the files.

*EDIT #2* Upon further inspection, my cousin has just informed me of a pretty cool trick. Make a folder and change the icon to the icon for a DLL or other windows system file, and change the name of the folder to "something.dll" and stick it in the windows folder or something and no one will ever notice. Pretty neat huh?

embrik

Okay, I don't know if you can do this with XP Home, but in XP Pro, open explorer, go to Tools --> Folder Options. Click the view tab, scroll down and uncheck "Use simple file sharing". Click OK a couple times to close out. Now right-click on the folder you want to restrict and click properties. Choose the security tab. Make sure your account has full control by clicking your username in the top box and looking at the permissions at the bottom. If it does, then remove any other users in the top box and click OK to save it.

(Also, I think you have to be on NTFS, but it might work with FAT32... you can convert your disk to NTFS if you want)

Peter Principle

It says I have to remove inherited permissions from this folder. When I do, it then asks me this:




and I'm not quite sure I understand what its asking. Do I want to copy or remove?

embrik

Well if it's going to be just you that needs access to the folder, and you've got yourself added, click remove.