Comments for How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

Comment from David on 2009-06-23

2009-06-24T00:25:51Z

Just reading the question though - password protecting shortcuts on the desktop - Leo's initial suggestion, literally having a password on the screensaver is doing EXACTLY what is being asked of. Nothing more, nothing less.

Everything else is good but too cumbersome >

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Comment from Samuel on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T23:22:58Z

This will be a little out of place for such an overtly Windows website but on Apple computers there is a "Guest Account" option. If I want to leave everything open and running but don't want anyone to access any of it all I have to do is click on the Guest Account. A new desktop, just like the regular one, rotates into view. The "Guest" can access only the files I've granted rights to. This way "guests" are unaware that they are not accessing 'my' computer. To get back all I have to do is click on my "account". The regular desktop rotates back into view and everything is open and ready for me to get back to work.

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from some gal on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T20:39:06Z

Everyone, thanks! I now have a password for the computer and have everyone lock it the way JH suggested. It may seem like basic information to everyone else, but I was amazed that I could do tha! It had weighing on my mind on how to limit access to the computer since it is out in the open and people are coming and going frequently.

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from some gal on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T19:55:55Z

This was so informative. I asked Leo a similar question a couple of weeks ago, and I was glad to see it addressed. I did what JH advised. I didn't know you could do that!

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Comment from sirpaul1 on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T16:08:32Z

Then I ran into this:

http://download.cnet.com/Folder-Lock/3000-2092_4-10063343.html

if you have admin. rights

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from sirpaul1 on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T15:37:27Z

To expand on Josh's reply:

Right click on the folder and chose Send to > Compressed (zip) folder.
Open the new folder and choose File > Add a Password.
Choose a password and you're set.

That's how you do it on XP!

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Carl R. Goodwin on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T15:35:09Z

It has always amazed me that Microsoft has never included a feature like this in any of its versions of Windows. Imagine them actually putting something in that people WANT??? Go figure...

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from JH on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T15:30:39Z

Even at home, I have got into the habit of locking my computer, even if I only go to get a drink, and even though I have nothing confidential and the only people there are my family. Its just so simple: press windows logo+L and bang, the computer is locked.

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Josh Medrano on 2009-06-23

2009-06-23T15:21:14Z

How bout ZIPping it to a folder and password it? Does that work on Vista?

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Will on 2009-06-21

2009-06-22T02:41:22Z

Install programs on a mounted truecrypt volume, then dismount when you are away from the PC.

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Mat on 2009-06-20

2009-06-20T07:03:23Z

I'd agree with the approaches above. I use a Truecrypt volume to store my sensitive personal stuff, and I've got into the habit of locking my computer (pretty much) whenever I move away from it. OK, you're not protected against hard-core techies, but I'm not particularly at risk from them. And there's not a great deal one can do against hard-core techies, unless you're a hard-core techie yourself, which I'm not. So problem solved...

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Jeff on 2009-06-18

2009-06-18T18:15:02Z

I agree about just locking the desktop (or screensaver pw as Leo suggests) It's really not that bad if you are concerned about privacy. I work at a bank and our workstations must be locked every time we leave our desk, and automatically after 15 min of inactivity. I must unlock my computer 20-30 times each day...not really a big deal after you get used to it.

Indeed. It's even worse at the doctor's office where (in the U.S.) HIPAA imposes some stringent privacy rules. The inactivity timeout is very short, and everything must be locked when not used. It's really not that big a deal, it's just a habit that needs to be developed.

- Leo
19-Jun-2009

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

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Comment from Some guy on 2009-06-18

2009-06-18T17:21:48Z

What about simply locking the computer when you're away from it? That password protects everything, no?

Yes and no. That's pretty similar to logging out, or using a password protected screensaver as I mentioned in the aritcle. The problem is that if it's not physically secure it's not secure. Anyone could come along with a boot CD, for example, and reboot into a different operating system that allowed unrestricted access to everything on the machine. Everything that wasn't encrypted, that is.

- Leo
19-Jun-2009

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A comment on: How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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