What is the best software to lock directory ?

That's the advantage of the method mentioned in my last post. The operating system itself can do the enforcement.

 

That's not what I'm looking for. I need a simple locking software that does its job.
Sandboxie and Defensewall do a REAL locking and that has been thoroughly tested by members.
So it IS possible and Tzuk/Ilya know at least how to do it.
Some locking softwares don't do their job properly due to BAD programming.

 

The original poster asked a simple, straightforward question as follows...

The guy asks what time it is, & the thread is diverted to lengthy discussion of how to make a watch.

Don't get me wrong -- The increasingly technical discussion of partition locking via software and the OS itself is very interesting & useful. However, it is NOT what the original poster requested.

There are several SIMPLE software solutions that will meet OP's original request. ProSecurity is one of them (I wish Jei would return). Some of the other good solutions have been mentioned. I just hope OP is able to weed them out from all of the OT blather.

 

I believe Neova Guard (freeware) is capable of this, if my memory is correct.

 

Sorry, i have no idea.
I tried it, like a gazillion other programs
I do remember being impressed with a few things, and confused with the rules. It takes time to get it.
Would i buy it? I would first get to know the program and test it better, and look for alternatives. It does a lot more than lock folders.
There's also the OS's own tools, as MrBrian suggests.

 

Not for Original Poster
Disk Password Protection v4.8.930 (= $49.95 - personal license)
http://www.exlade.com/products/diskpasswordprotection/

Userfriendly, simple GUI and password protected, seems to be a very good protection, I've seen worse.
The password is "demo" in the trial version, no change allowed

If a document, stored on [D:], was open and I tried to lock [D:] I got a warning and couldn't lock [D:] until that document was closed. Very good reaction.
Locking/unlocking takes 1, 2, 3 seconds.

The protected HDD disappears completely in
- Windows Explorer : invisible
- Disk Management : partition letter is invisible, only free space is visible.

If somebody is interested to break this one with malware or destructive DEL command, go ahead. I didn't have the time yet.

I can use such a software to protect my data partition, when I'm testing softwares in my system partition.

 

Instant Lock (= 69£)
http://instantlock.net/
Pure folder locking, locked folders are invisible on the HDD, the rest is visible.
Password protected.

 

Looks good but too pricey for me.

 

Hi,

Have a look at this FJXPFileSecExt_1_2_Setup, Add a limited user and withdraw those rights with this nifty from the limited user. I had set this up for my son (you know he is young, you know he will browsing for spicy material, so only allow browser to save in one directory, on that of that I had GesWall taking care of the downloaded files in that directory)

easy

 

You mean this one ?
http://www.bastian-wiede.de/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=13&order=hits&dir=DESC

 

Does any of the programs mentioned in this thread fit my criteria?:

- free
- simple
- reliable
- I dont care if it protect against malware or not. I just want to hide some files/folders from my girlfriend
- easy one or two click to hide/unhide folders

Also must be safe to use so I dont lockout myself

I dont need to lock partition or encryption. But I need to hide folders on both internal and external hdd. My external hdd is always connected, but I only turn it on when backing up files which is not very often.

 

ErikAlbert's disappointment in PC Security throwed cold water on my enthusiasm in it just when i thought we had a winner, so even though i still own it, i don't use it anymore. His paranoia rubbed off over this way too

 

I'm not sure if hiding folders is enough to protect them against malware, at least not theoretically. If it is a destructive malware, it might destruct your hidden folders as well. IMO "hiding folders" is just a gadget, not a protection.

 

If your gf uses your computer, you can just give her her own user account. Perhaps, though, you were looking for something to quickly hide files from her while you're using the computer?

 

I agree. Did you read my post?:

The programs listed in my sig should protect against malware, but my files and folders are still visible to my girlfriend. I have lots of folders in MyDocuments (D-partition) and a copy of these folders on external hdd. I only want to hide some of these folders.

 

She has her own laptop, and she has her own user account on my computer. She does not use my computer very often so I may just delete her account. I want some (two or three) folders to always be hidden except when I use them, no matter who uses my account.

 

OK. I get it. You only want to hide folders (full of porn) for your girlfriend, because you don't want her to see them. Sorry for misunderstanding.
Maybe this one, not sure if it is malware-free.
hxxp://www.dirfile.com/hide_folders.htm
hxxp://www.itusoft.com/

 

Yes EA you get it now

Large folders so encryption will work too slow. Easy one or two click to hide/unhide would be nice.

I guess when I run my backup program it will also backup these hidden folders? At least I hope so because it would be a pita if I had to remember to unhide folders before backup.

Thanks EA I will have a look

 

Guys the best software to lock folders is the OS itself. Just disable "use simple file sharing" And then give rights to that folder only to one user.

Take a look at the jpegs to see how to do it. No malware and no user will bypass this protection.

ps. I do not know if it works with the home editions.


Panagiotis

 

Windows can do that for you. Right click on the folder you want hidden, then click on properties then tick the Hidden dialogue box. You can opt to mark the contents inside the folder as hidden as well if you want. To access the folders you want, just type in its directory location on explorer's address bar. If you opted to mark the contents of the folder hidden as well, just go to Tools > Folder Options > View tab > tick the Show hidden files and folders dialogue.

- free (well proprietary seems more apt since it's built into windows)
- simple
- reliable (debatable )
- I dont care if it protect against malware or not. I just want to hide some files/folders from my girlfriend
- easy one or two click to hide/unhide folders

 

TrueCrypt is perfect for this. You will need to use encryption anyway if you're afraid your external drive could be plugged into your gf's computer.

 

I was just going to suggest encryption, MrBrian beat me to it

 

It would help to know a little more about your situation. Are those files likely to be actively looked for, or do you just want to avoid that she accidentally finds them?
How much technical knowledge has your girlfriend? (I mean, can she change folder settings?)

If she can't change settings, and if she won't be searching for those files, I believe the windows "hidden file" property could do just fine.

 

Pandlouk and Bman412 I already know about this and use this on some folders. Im not sure it will protect me from my GF or other using my computer, (and perhaps my user account, I dont want to password protect my account because she can use it now and then) and too many mouseclicks. But thanks for your replies

MrBrian and HURST, thanks. Lets say these folders contain 100 GB and I use them often, I guess encrypt/decrypt would be very time consuming? (I have heard of Truecrypt but never used it)

She would not mess with my ext hdd without asking. And I bought her a WD passport

I will search and check out some free applications. If anyone have experience with such applications, good or bad, please let me know.

 

I dont think the files are likely to be looked for, just want to be sure she dont accidentally find them. But hey, if she looks for them (which I dont think) I still want to be safe

She is not an very advanced user, but she know about things like windows hide folders and she can change folder settings.

She know this and probably use it herself now and then. The windows "hidden file" is 5 mouseclicks. Im sure my hunt will sooner or later give me something with 1 or 2 click. I will spend some time searching, but not right now its night where I live, and when I find something I like I try to remember to come back here to let you know.