Travel Technology - Freeware tool for encrypting a sub-folder in WinXP?

I've spent the last hour googling, but can't find what I think I need.

I want a simple program that will allow me to encrypt a folder. I'm envisioning something easy: I right-click on the folder name, one of the options is "encrypt," I supply a password and folder is encrypted. Any files I move into the folder are therefore encrypted too, and any I move out of the folder are no longer encrypted.

I've tried TrueCrypt but it is way complex. I just need to encrypt one sub-folder. I don't want to deal with mounted drives, or files in which an encrypted folder and its files will live, I just need to be able to encrypt one subfolder.

I log onto Windows as Administrator so using the built-in XP encryption isn't a possibility, if I want to keep someone from accessing that subfolder while using my computer.

Is there a program out there -- freeware -- that will do what I want? This doesn't have to be cutting-edge encryption, just something simple. Do I even understand what I'm asking? :D

There WAS an app from Microsoft themselves, but they killed it off :(

HOWEVER... the fine folks at Fileforum managed to keep a link...

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Microsoft_Private_Folder/1152200243/1

Chuck...I've just sent an email to you re this to the last email address I had for you. Let me know if you didn't get it.

This is built into XP (at least XP Pro - dk about home).

Just right-click the folder, select properties and advanced. At the bottom is a check box "Encrypt contents to secure data"

Thanks all!

This is built into XP (at least XP Pro - dk about home).

Just right-click the folder, select properties and advanced. At the bottom is a check box "Encrypt contents to secure data"

No can do:

I log onto Windows as Administrator so using the built-in XP encryption isn't a possibility, if I want to keep someone from accessing that subfolder while using my computer.

Truecrypt will do exactly what you want.
Did you dig into the docs at all?
I cannot remember exactly how to do it, but a folder-specific option is there.

Truecrypt is indeed a nice app, but it is still pretty overwhelming for someone that just wants to make a simple protected folder.

Truecrypt is indeed a nice app, but it is still pretty overwhelming for someone that just wants to make a simple protected folder.
Agreed...daunting at best.
Of course I'm on a boycott until this is an os x version :)

There are several good and free programs out there that will allow you to right-click and easily encrypt a FILE on your computer, but not the entire contents of a folder.

TrueCrypt isn't quite as daunting as you might think, we use it all the time, but it also doesn't work in a folder sort of way, it would give you a new drive letter (ie: D: drive) and everything you drop in there would be encrypted.

Two things I can think of, although I'd rather go the TrueCrypt route instead, but to put your options out there:

You can install WINRAR or WINZIP, both have options to "password protect" an archive and you could right-click a folder and "compress" the folder contents into a single password-protected file. Unfortunately, when you want to get back into the folder you would have to right-click and "decompress" the folder again after entering your password. Not a biggie for a couple of documents or something, but a big pain if you have a folder filled with powerpoints or something.

You could also use one of the above compression programs to get your folder into a single file and use one of the freeware (I can dig up names if you need it) programs to right-click and encrypt the file. This isn't doing much more than just complicating the process a bit, and using better encryption.

I know you aren't excited about using TrueCrypt, but I'd be (as I'm sure others here would be) willing to walk you through setting it up. Once installed you can just have a little icon on your desktop and when you double-click on it you get a "password" prompt and after entering your password, you have a new drive letter and anything you drop in there is encrypted and you don't have to think about it.

I know what you are trying to achieve and you would think it would be simple but unfortunately there isn't anything out there that can do that, even Microsoft's solution is easily breakable or can be opened to your machine's administrator.

--Doug

Thanks all!



No can do:
Why not create a second account in the Administrator group for yourself? The "other" administrative user would not be able to read your encrypted folder unless they have your password. Force-changing the password or ownership will not provide access to the folder.

I just installed TrueCrypt. It's pretty easy to set-up and it really is pretty effortless to use. Now I can put my sensitive data somewhere more secure than a non-descript directory buried somewhere.

Agreed...daunting at best.
Of course I'm on a boycott until this is an os x version :)
OS X has virtual disk encryption built in. In Disk Utility, just create a Secure Sparse Image.

...even Microsoft's solution is easily breakable or can be opened to your machine's administrator.

Can you say more about the first?

And, re your second point, as I said, I'm always logged into Windows on my Administrator account so am not sure what you mean.

Is there any reason you don't want to use the one ScottC linked? It's pretty slick, and does exactly what you asked.

Is there any reason you don't want to use the one ScottC linked? It's pretty slick, and does exactly what you asked.

I AM using the Microsoft Private Folder that ScottC recommended. And it's exactly what I was looking for ^ I was just wondering what the poster whom I quoted meant by saying that it is "easily breakable"