Tech Windows Question

goto the root directory you have it in

Tool --> Folder Options.. --> View -->

Click the show hidden files and folders button then click apply.

now it should show all the folders, even the hidden ones, right click the folder and uncheck the hidden button. Then click apply.

You can go back in and set it to show hidden files and folders after that if you want.

Don't know why I just find this is soooo funny!

pr0n.

There is a program out there I think called invisible Folders or magick folders that will really make it disappear. If a folder is hidden, you can still seartch for it or for items in it.

Why would you want to a hide a folder, if you don't want people going into it then just setup the security permissions so only one user on the box can access it

so is it possible to make a folder password protected?

:signMoved

Not in the sense you are probably thinking but yes. You just create a new user on the system. Now make sure the user you create does not belong to any groups. this way they will not be able to login to the box and the account will only serve the purpose of file access. Now you can right click on a folder and goto properties. Now inside of properties you can goto the security tab. Inside of the security tab click the advanced button, inside of this menu you want to uncheck the box that says 'Inherit permissions from parent'. This will esentially remove all current users access rights from this folder. Now when you exit the advanced menu under the security tab you need to click add. Select that user that you created to secure this folder and then apply. VOILA! If you try to open this folder as any logged in user it will say access denied. The only way to access this folder now is type "runas /user:blarg "explorer.exe <folder path"" from the command line and pressing enter, you will be prompted for that users password. If it is correct the folder will open and you will have access. You can then make a shortcut on your desktop that does that runas command line for you so you dont have to type it everytime. Its kind of a hassle but it is a pretty harsh security that is not easily compremised as long as nobody is an administrator on the box except for you. The administrator ofcourse can gain access to those files in that folder by resetting the permissions. But if you really are hardcore on protecting the content of a folder you can encrypt the data by right clicking on the folder and going to properties, then click the advanced button and check the box for "encrypt the data". This will use the current users that have access to generate keys to encrypt the contents of the folder. This way if anyone ever manages to download a file from the folder trys to access it from a remote network location they will just download crap Woah this is a lot of text I hope some of this makes sense. I'm pretty tired right now.

This is all assuming that the person doesn't want that information really badly anyway. There is a 'security tool' out there. (Yes a security tool although it can be used by hackers too) called ERD Commander, that can reset the passwords to every local user account in Windows, rendering all of your precautions useless.

On a real network that is all well and good, but for something at home that you really don't give much of a rats ass about anyway, it could be too much effort for what you're trying to do.

Just go check out the magic folders program. It is protected by a name and password not related to Windows, and you can toggle the folders and files invisible with a hotkey mix that you make. Its pretty cool....or at least it was.

You are right, in WinXP the password reset tool would save ya but in Windows 2003 Srv I don't think it would work.