Comments on: Lock Files and Folders in Windows Without Extra Software http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/ Help Desk Geek is a blog for Discussions about help desk tips and how-to computer tips Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:50:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: TuxDKhttp://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/comment-page-1/#comment-26123 TuxDK Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:14:09 +0000 http://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=5923#comment-26123 as far as I can tell, any script kiddie could open your bat, input their own pass and then "unlock" your file with that pass. anywho... If you want a fast/easy way to hide files and it doesn't need to be secure, then make a hidden partition on your drive. accessing the drive is as easy as entering the drive path in an explorer directory line. This should keep all computer illiterates out and even the occasional geek (as long as they don't have any reason to be checking your partition table). and of course if you want the secure method, you can use truecrypt. It does cost you a bit of performance though and it is a bit more of a hassle, so it's a tradeoff of security vs ease-of-use as far as I can tell, any script kiddie could open your bat, input their own pass and then "unlock" your file with that pass.

anywho…

If you want a fast/easy way to hide files and it doesn't need to be secure, then make a hidden partition on your drive.

accessing the drive is as easy as entering the drive path in an explorer directory line. This should keep all computer illiterates out and even the occasional geek (as long as they don't have any reason to be checking your partition table).

and of course if you want the secure method, you can use truecrypt. It does cost you a bit of performance though and it is a bit more of a hassle, so it's a tradeoff of security vs ease-of-use

]]> By: Joehttp://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/comment-page-1/#comment-25800 Joe Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:26:21 +0000 http://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=5923#comment-25800 This is an impressive hack... if you're a clueless 11 year-old trying to hide pictures of boobies from your parents. Unfortunately this site claims to offer Computer Tips for IT Pros and in that context it is a contemptibly stupid suggestion. This is an impressive hack… if you're a clueless 11 year-old trying to hide pictures of boobies from your parents.

Unfortunately this site claims to offer Computer Tips for IT Pros and in that context it is a contemptibly stupid suggestion.

]]> By: Robert Burkehttp://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/comment-page-1/#comment-25795 Robert Burke Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:19:17 +0000 http://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=5923#comment-25795 Furthermore, it doesn't even have to have the "Control Panel" in front of the ".{...}" it can be any word. It's the ".{...}" that makes it "hidden". I used to use a program built in VB, a long time ago, that did the same thing. Furthermore, it doesn't even have to have the "Control Panel" in front of the ".{…}" it can be any word. It's the ".{…}" that makes it "hidden".

I used to use a program built in VB, a long time ago, that did the same thing.

]]> By: Tyrishttp://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/comment-page-1/#comment-25767 Tyris Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:44:21 +0000 http://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=5923#comment-25767 Following my previous post... it appears there is at least some cleverness in this approach. When you rename a folder to "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}", it becomes a link to control panel (so "opening it will not access the folder contents). Simply changing the name to something else unlocks it though, so still very insecure for people who know what they're doing. If people are serious about their file security then they should use truecrypt. (google it) Following my previous post… it appears there is at least some cleverness in this approach. When you rename a folder to "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}", it becomes a link to control panel (so "opening it will not access the folder contents). Simply changing the name to something else unlocks it though, so still very insecure for people who know what they're doing.

If people are serious about their file security then they should use truecrypt. (google it)

]]> By: Tyrishttp://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/lock-hide-files-folders-windows-free/comment-page-1/#comment-25766 Tyris Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:39:14 +0000 http://helpdeskgeek.com/?p=5923#comment-25766 I agree with Oliver... this isn't a valid solution by any stretch of the imagination...The password provides nothing at all, since it only actually matches for a password when you open the batch file to tell it to ask for a password...... The exact same solution without being quite as retarded would be to replace the entire IF/GOTO line with: if 1==2 goto FAIL 1==1 means it cant unlock the file 1==2 means it will always unlock the file (Since your editing the file to put your password in anyway!) Then at the very least this will block the computer illiterate from accessing your folder... Better yet, right click folder, click properties, tick "hidden". Then to view/hide it, enable/disable the view hidden folders option in Windows? Same thing... I agree with Oliver… this isn't a valid solution by any stretch of the imagination…The password provides nothing at all, since it only actually matches for a password when you open the batch file to tell it to ask for a password……

The exact same solution without being quite as retarded would be to replace the entire IF/GOTO line with:

if 1==2 goto FAIL
1==1 means it cant unlock the file
1==2 means it will always unlock the file
(Since your editing the file to put your password in anyway!)

Then at the very least this will block the computer illiterate from accessing your folder…

Better yet, right click folder, click properties, tick "hidden". Then to view/hide it, enable/disable the view hidden folders option in Windows? Same thing…

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