Password protecting shared files?

[Ronn_Bman]

According to the MS Knowledge Database, XP Home is set with Simple File Sharing permanently enable. It can't be turned off, but if this is true, why don't I have the option of adding a password?

[ 03-13-2003, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

[andrewas]

Because simple file sharing has to be turned off to allow network shares to be passworded. If its an interface limitation, there may be a way around it, but if its in the kernel theres nothing that can be done.

[Ronn_Bman]

Well, at least I don't feel quite as computer illiterate as I did before you helped me find the answer. I looked in all the right places.

I can't believe I can password protect shared folders on my old 98 Machine, but that my new desktop and laptop are both an all or nothing situation. It's insane.

[ 03-13-2003, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

[Bokken]

Come on guys the answer here is easy! If you're running a FAT32 partition then you cannot use that security feature. It is only available if you are running on an NTFS partition.

Luckily however there is a program you can use called "Magic Folders" for windows XP which will hide any folder you wish it to unless you key in a password to be able to access it. Probably the best way to go unless you wish to change from FAT32 to NTFS.

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by Bokken: Come on guys the answer here is easy! If you're running a FAT32 partition then you cannot use that security feature. It is only available if you are running on an NTFS partition. Luckily however there is a program you can use called "Magic Folders" for windows XP which will hide any folder you wish it to unless you key in a password to be able to access it. Probably the best way to go unless you wish to change from FAT32 to NTFS.

My system is NTFS not FAT32, but using XP Home the feature isn't availible at the "shell" level. I've been told it is inherant to NTFS, but I'm barely viable computer wise at the "shell" level if I go deeper I'm sure to screw something up.

Do you have a link for Magic Folders? It sounds like what I'm looking for.

[andrewas]

Bokken, file system has nothing to do with Share security. You can indeed password a share on FAT32. You could in theory password a share on FAT12, if it wasnt a completely daft idea to share from a floppy.

Of course, you cant password a folder localy without NTFS. But thats another matter.

[realbinky]

RonnB, go here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,803367,00.asp , and follow the instructions. I was going to post yesterday about this, but wanted to find something, instead of going from memory. BTW, I found it by typing "XP Home Shared folder password" into Google. Good luck!

[realbinky]

Oops, also see: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,259304,00.asp

[Ronn_Bman]

The second article was actually something I was looking for. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

I'm going to try it when I get home, but if I understand it correctly, this will authorize users to access shared files based on the machine they are using. It's better than nothing, but still using this method anyone logged into my laptop could access shared files on my work station, right? Or is it based on the user of a specific machine?

EDIT - This method does let you make restrictions based on who is logged in on a specific machine, so that's better than I thought, but still not as thorough as password protecting the folder itself against everyone.

[ 03-14-2003, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

[Ronn_Bman]

I've found a workaround for this.

I use GuildFTP to share files with my friends online, and by using that program I can use WSFTP_LE on my other computers and the problem is solved. It's way too hard a workaround, but it works for my purposes.