I have protable external usb hard disk which I use on different computers. I want to set a password to it so that on which ever computer it is being used, it prompts a pass before opening it. Also if somebody tries to format it then it prompts for password… Also if I would like to password protect some folder in other hard disk instead of protecting whole drive then what should I do… Please help me. Is it possible and how can I do that if it’s possible?
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
Are you using XP ?
There are a some programs you can buy that will do that.
Let me check to see if there are any free ones.
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
Here is the solution for XP and ME.
If you do have XP then follow the XP solutions to the T and you will see that the folder under a zipped folder when highlighted will show the “add password” menu.
Use at your own risk and dont blame me if you fat finger the password. I cant crack it.
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,110663,00.asp
Until recently, the only way to password-protect individual files or folders in Windows 98 and Me was to buy additional software. Password protection of files has always been available in Windows 2000 or Windows XP, if the hard drive is formatted as NTFS rather than as FAT. But now there’s a new way to password-protect your files in Windows Me and XP, regardless of your hard drive’s format: Simply store sensitive files and folders in a compressed folder and use that folder’s built-in password protection option.
If you’re using Windows Me, start by making sure that the folder compression feature is installed on your PC: Choose Start, Settings and click or double-click Control Panel. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs and click the Windows Setup tab. Select System Tools and click Details. If there is no check mark next to ‘Compressed Folders’, click the box to check it; then click OK and follow the prompts to add this compression feature to your system.
Advertisement
To compress a folder, right-click the desktop or inside any folder, and choose New, Compressed Folder (in Windows Me) or New, Compressed (zipped) Folder (in Windows XP; see FIGURE 1). This adds a new folder in that location with the default name ‘New Compressed Folder’. Type a name for the folder and press Enter. Double-click the folder to open it.
Now open Windows Explorer or any folder window (if you have a Windows keyboard, press Windows-E to launch Explorer), and select the folders and/or files you want to password-protect. Use the right mouse button to drag the items into the new compressed folder. When you release the mouse button, choose Move Here. (If you left-drag, only copies will be added to the compressed folders, leaving the originals unprotected.)
If necessary, click the title bar of the compressed-folder window to activate it. Choose File, Encrypt in Windows Me or File, Add a password in Windows XP. Type your desired password in the ‘Password’ and ‘Confirm Password’ boxes, and then click OK. From now on, only users who know the password will be able to open, extract, copy, or move the files and subfolders to another folder; Windows will prompt you for your password before permitting any of these operations. If you send the folder to people who don’t have Windows XP or Me, they can uncompress the folder using a program such as WinZip, but they’ll still need to know the password before they can access the contents.
Keep these things in mind when you add passwords to files and folders:
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
Its more like adding password to your ZIP files.
I dont know if u can protect your USB drive the way you mentioned against Format etc. I know in the SUN strorage case but that is an entirely different matter because thats not for public.
Either you should get help from google or please wait until someone else comes with a solution.
As far as protection folders is concerned there are few solutions by buying additional softwares that an encrypt the whole folder & then it cannot be openned. The draw back of this software protection is that u can only open the folders if u connect to a machine having that software. It means that your USB drive cannot be as portable as you want it to be.
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
which brand you are using...
I once saw that same password protect functionality in IBM USB Flash.. may be the same software can be used on IBM USB HDD.
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
Lexar also has a password protection utility. So I figure on most of these new USB thumb drives, people have these password protection utilities now. But like you said up there, I am not sure if it can used on a USB HDD.
Try it and let us know.
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
I am using samsung hardisk in IBM casing. These are small portable hard disks. It's a laptop hardisk in it. I am not using flash drive. It's a hard disk that I made by putting in USB casing... If anybody knows the solution then do let me know, I myself am searching over the net too... But haven't got any solution yet :(
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
SO you have the password issue resolved but you are just looking for the format protection now ?
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
No, my password issue is not resolved. I am not using flash drive and I don't want password for any folder in my computer. What I want is what Najim mentioned. I have portable hard drives which I want to make password protected, not only when used on my computer but when used anywhere on any PC regardless of which OS it's running...
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
hiname, there are number of commercial software available that will do just that. They range from $39.95-89.95. Of course there are USB drives that come with such a feature that password protects your files/folders on the USB flash drives.
Here are some links:
http://www.memorysuppliers.com/bu25usb20flm.html
There are number of others…just do a google search on “password protect usb drive”
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
Yes but Kaleem he is wanting a USB drive to password protected regarless of OS that the host computer has and also the fact that no one should be able to format it. DO any of those programs offer that ?
Re: Password protect drive/folder.
It's surprising, even after such advancements, users don't have this feature. Where is Microsoft?