WTB a way to password protect files on Windows 7.

[haxartus]

You can use a funny thing in windows.
French version here

run => cmd =>
write :

ATTRIB c:/test +s +h

Your folder will be hidden even if you use the folder option of windows
"don't show hidden files.."

This is a good idea since it marks the folder as "system". To see it, you need to uncheck "hide protected operating system files". Most people know how to enable "show hidden files, folders and drives" but not that one.

[Crieve]

You could try getting an image encoder. What I mean is, you attach all of the contents of a folder to an image and encrypt it. I wrote my own in C++ and no one has ever been able to crack it. Sure, the image itself is of a giant smiley face at a whopping 64x64 resolution, but the ~160gigabyte size throws potential viewers off. That and no one other than myself knows how to read it.

Edit: Yeah yeah, I know: 160gigs. I admit I have a problem. Damnit, I'm working on it!

[Serissa]

hidden/system attribute only works for default file browser (aka explorer)
won't work if you use any different file browser/manager (FAR anyone?)

[Deleted]

If I recall correctly, the 'Encrypt' option will encrypt the file with a key thats stored in your Windows user account. That'll effectively make the file unreadable for other users and computers, but you'll be able to access and use it yourself just like normal. You will require a personal account for this that -is- password protected. To avoid incidents where you leave the machine, set it up to lock out the machine after a short while of not being used. (See power options)

Its nothing exceedingly complex, and truecrypt will work better against more technologically inclined persons. I do believe this option is also only available on Professional editions and above.

Also keep in mind that Windows will not allow other users to access the user directories of other accounts if it has a password. Anything stored in 'My Documents' 'Pictures' 'Music' 'Videos' will be completely inaccessible to other users on Windows. This is also where save game data is stored by default, so 'Bob' can't access 'Michael's Fallout 3 files no matter how much he wants.

If you don't want to store your stuff in one of the default folders, create a separate folder instead thats still in your user directory.

For example, "C:\Users\DarkXale\workspace" stores my Eclipse IDE files. You could create an identical folder with the intention of holding your private stuff. Or just stick them inside 'Saved Games' since nobody ever bothered defining what type of games its supposed to hold.(And Fallout 3 etc blissfully ignores it)

The user directory is not exactly one you tend to stumble into either. Do note however other operating systems such as Linux for example ignores these permission restrictions, so combination with the above mentioned encryption would be required to keep those out as well.

[Sengiratolom]

Are you admin on that machine? if so, you can make a guest acc without PW protection and limit its allowance. Put a PW on the admin acc, put your files in a "admin only" area.

Problem solved.