Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Windows Tips: Check Your Disks for Errors, With a Single Click
Last February I described how to automate hard-disk scans in Windows 98 and Me. Several readers have written to ask for the lowdown on automatic disk scans in Windows 2000 and XP. You can create a shortcut and automate disk scans in these operating systems, though doing so takes a little work and know-how.
Unlike previous Windows versions, 2000 and XP won't let you fix errors as you check a disk whose files are in use. Windows can override this in some cases (as I describe below). But checking your Windows drive while Windows itself is running is out of the question: Windows simply asks whether you want to schedule the process to occur the next time you restart your computer.
The Windows approach: If you're new to Windows 2000 or XP, you may have difficulty finding the error-checking feature at all, since the ScanDisk icon doesn't appear in the System Tools menu as it does in other Windows versions. To get to this feature, double-click My Computer or open an Explorer window, right-click the icon for the drive you want to check, and choose Properties. (Alternatively, you can open Properties by Alt-double-clicking a drive icon or by selecting it and pressing Alt-Enter.) Click the Tools tab, and under 'Error-checking', click Check Now. For many drives, that button is misnamed, if you choose to fix file system errors; when you tell the utility to begin, instead of "checking now" it will ask to schedule the scan at the next restart.
In the Check Disk dialog box, select your options and click Start. If you leave both check boxes empty, the scan will begin immediately, as it will only be checking the disk and not fixing any errors it finds. If you mark one of the check boxes, the program may say that you need to restart your PC before the process can begin. If that's okay, click Yes. If it isn't, try the shortcut approach described below. To schedule several disks for error-checking the next time you reboot, repeat the steps above for each drive.
The shortcut approach: If you prefer not to open Properties for every drive that needs checking--and then futz with various tabs, buttons, and prompts--you can launch the error-checking process from a shortcut icon, complete with the settings you use most often. You may have to answer prompts in some cases, but this technique entails a lot less clicking.
To create a batch file that launches the Chkdsk program, click Start, Programs (All Programs in XP), Accessories, Notepad, and type chkdsk followed by a space, the letter of the drive you want to check, and a colon (for example, chkdsk d:).
Add to this line the appropriate switches for the options you want, separated by spaces. Among the most useful switches is /f, which has the same effect as the Automatically fix file system errors option in the Check Disk dialog box described earlier. If the drive you're checking is already in use, you can add the /x switch to allow Windows to lock the drive for its exclusive use while it performs the error check (a feature you get only by employing this technique). You won't be able to save files to that drive until the error check is complete, at which time everything returns to normal. Unfortunately, even with the /x switch, you can't run Chkdsk on a Windows drive. Windows will ask if you want to schedule the procedure for the next reboot, just as in the previous method. Take it (enter y) or leave it (enter n).
Windows Tips: For Security Reasons, It Pays to Know Your File Extensions
Spot hazardous files by learning about extensions
Computer viruses sometimes masquerade as harmless e-mail attachments. The fastest way to spot the interlopers is by their file extension--the letters (usually three) following the final period in the file's name. This extension is an essential aspect of nearly every file on your computer; without it, Windows doesn't know whether to open the file in your word processor or another app, to launch it as a program, or to let other programs use it as a system resource. Knowing a file's extension can also help you customize your system and clean out the dross.
Unfortunately, Microsoft started hiding file extensions in Windows 95. To make sure your file extensions are visible, open Windows Explorer or any folder window and choose View, Folder Options or Tools, Folder Options (depending on your version). Click the View tab, make sure the option to 'Hide extensions for known file types' is unchecked (the exact wording will vary depending on your version of Windows; see FIGURE 1), and click OK. Now extensions will be visible for nearly every file on your desktop and in your Explorer and folder windows.
The File Types tab in the Folder Options dialog box lists the extensions registered on your system ("registered" means that Windows knows what to do with that type of file; see FIGURE 2 ). It also shows the file descriptions you would see if you looked in the Type column of Explorer's Details view (choose View, Details). Note that in Windows 9x, you must select one of the registered file types to see its extension displayed in the area below.
If you're willing to edit the Registry, you can display most file extensions but hide a few of your choice. Or you can show the extensions of only the file types you select. Here are the file extensions you need to be aware of.
An eye on executables: An executable (.com or .exe) lists machine-language instructions that a computer can understand and execute. Don't launch executable files that you receive from an unknown source (such as via an unsolicited e-mail), since the sender could have a malicious purpose. Also, many worms propagate via e-mail address books, so you may know the purported sender of an infected file. Don't open any executable file until you have confirmed by phone or e-mail that the file is legit. By extension (pun intended), .bat (batch files) and .cmd (Windows 2000 batch files) include executable commands and may contain malicious code.
Script teasers: Scripts are pieces of human-readable programming code that services translate into machine-code instructions and execute. Windows will launch one of its many script services when you double-click a script file (just as Windows will open Word to display a word processing document if you double-click a .doc file). You encounter scripts frequently while Web browsing and performing other PC tasks, but you probably don't want to let just any old script file run on your computer. The script file extensions to be wary of include those that work with Windows Script Host (.ws, .wsc, .wsf), JavaScript (.js), and Visual Basic (.vb, .vbe, .vbs).
Other service-launching extensions: If you double-click a file whose extension is associated with a Windows service, that service will open and run, using the information in the file you double-clicked to tell the service what to do. Such extensions include .pif (a program information file that tells Windows how to run an old DOS app), .msi (a Windows installer database), .hta (an HTML application), and .scr (a screen saver).
Space savers: If you're tired of the screen savers on your system, save disk space by searching for all of your system's .scr files (enter *.scr as the file name you're searching for) and deleting the ones you don't want (see FIGURE 3). For instant privacy, use the right-mouse button to drag any .scr file to your desktop or the Start menu (or one of its submenus), and choose Create Shortcut(s) Here. Just click the shortcut to launch the screen saver, and tap a key or wiggle your mouse to turn it off.
Control Panel icon elimination: Readers frequently ask how to remove icons from their Control Panel window. When the culprit is not one of Windows' own control panels but an uninvited intruder installed by some other program, it's useful to know that most Control Panel icons represent files with the .cpl extension. Enter *.cpl in the file-name field of Windows' search function to list the Control Panel applets on your system. Double-click each file until you find the one that you don't need. Move the unwanted file to another folder, or make a backup copy and delete the original. Note that in some cases multiple icons in the Control Panel window may represent a single .cpl file. For example, removing main.cpl will eliminate the Fonts, Keyboard, Mouse, and Printers icons.
System secrets: Some system file types don't run by themselves and don't open in an application; other programs on your PC use these files to get information about your settings, special programming functions, and other resources. You can customize your system by editing certain .ini, .inf, and other system files. For example, changing your sysoc.inf file gives you more control over uninstalling components of Windows 2000 and XP. Or edit your desktop.ini file to add wallpaper to XP's folder windows.
One common system file type is the dynamic link library, or .dll. Sometimes multiple applications will install one .dll file, potentially causing conflicts. To help advanced users and IS pros sort through .dll-related snafus, Microsoft has set up a searchable database that they can use to ferret out the purpose of any Microsoft .dll file.
Wascally Wegistwy files: Exported portions of the Windows Registry have the .reg extension. When you edit the Registry, these files serve as small, targeted backups of the portion you'll be working on. Click Start, Run, type regedit, press Enter, navigate the tree pane on the left (or use the Edit, Find feature), and click the section of the Registry you plan to edit. Choose Registry, Export Registry File, make sure that 'Selected branch' is highlighted, specify a name and a location to store it in, and click Save. The settings for that portion of the Registry will be saved as a file with the .reg extension. If you make a boo-boo, you can restore that portion of the Registry to its prior state by double-clicking the backup file and then following the on-screen prompts. You're not likely to encounter a problem with .reg files that you make yourself, but beware of unknown or unsolicited .reg files! If you merge a corrupt, outdated, or malicious .reg file, you can damage your Windows settings.
Computer viruses sometimes masquerade as harmless e-mail attachments. The fastest way to spot the interlopers is by their file extension--the letters (usually three) following the final period in the file's name. This extension is an essential aspect of nearly every file on your computer; without it, Windows doesn't know whether to open the file in your word processor or another app, to launch it as a program, or to let other programs use it as a system resource. Knowing a file's extension can also help you customize your system and clean out the dross.
Unfortunately, Microsoft started hiding file extensions in Windows 95. To make sure your file extensions are visible, open Windows Explorer or any folder window and choose View, Folder Options or Tools, Folder Options (depending on your version). Click the View tab, make sure the option to 'Hide extensions for known file types' is unchecked (the exact wording will vary depending on your version of Windows; see FIGURE 1), and click OK. Now extensions will be visible for nearly every file on your desktop and in your Explorer and folder windows.
The File Types tab in the Folder Options dialog box lists the extensions registered on your system ("registered" means that Windows knows what to do with that type of file; see FIGURE 2 ). It also shows the file descriptions you would see if you looked in the Type column of Explorer's Details view (choose View, Details). Note that in Windows 9x, you must select one of the registered file types to see its extension displayed in the area below.
If you're willing to edit the Registry, you can display most file extensions but hide a few of your choice. Or you can show the extensions of only the file types you select. Here are the file extensions you need to be aware of.
An eye on executables: An executable (.com or .exe) lists machine-language instructions that a computer can understand and execute. Don't launch executable files that you receive from an unknown source (such as via an unsolicited e-mail), since the sender could have a malicious purpose. Also, many worms propagate via e-mail address books, so you may know the purported sender of an infected file. Don't open any executable file until you have confirmed by phone or e-mail that the file is legit. By extension (pun intended), .bat (batch files) and .cmd (Windows 2000 batch files) include executable commands and may contain malicious code.
Script teasers: Scripts are pieces of human-readable programming code that services translate into machine-code instructions and execute. Windows will launch one of its many script services when you double-click a script file (just as Windows will open Word to display a word processing document if you double-click a .doc file). You encounter scripts frequently while Web browsing and performing other PC tasks, but you probably don't want to let just any old script file run on your computer. The script file extensions to be wary of include those that work with Windows Script Host (.ws, .wsc, .wsf), JavaScript (.js), and Visual Basic (.vb, .vbe, .vbs).
Other service-launching extensions: If you double-click a file whose extension is associated with a Windows service, that service will open and run, using the information in the file you double-clicked to tell the service what to do. Such extensions include .pif (a program information file that tells Windows how to run an old DOS app), .msi (a Windows installer database), .hta (an HTML application), and .scr (a screen saver).
Space savers: If you're tired of the screen savers on your system, save disk space by searching for all of your system's .scr files (enter *.scr as the file name you're searching for) and deleting the ones you don't want (see FIGURE 3). For instant privacy, use the right-mouse button to drag any .scr file to your desktop or the Start menu (or one of its submenus), and choose Create Shortcut(s) Here. Just click the shortcut to launch the screen saver, and tap a key or wiggle your mouse to turn it off.
Control Panel icon elimination: Readers frequently ask how to remove icons from their Control Panel window. When the culprit is not one of Windows' own control panels but an uninvited intruder installed by some other program, it's useful to know that most Control Panel icons represent files with the .cpl extension. Enter *.cpl in the file-name field of Windows' search function to list the Control Panel applets on your system. Double-click each file until you find the one that you don't need. Move the unwanted file to another folder, or make a backup copy and delete the original. Note that in some cases multiple icons in the Control Panel window may represent a single .cpl file. For example, removing main.cpl will eliminate the Fonts, Keyboard, Mouse, and Printers icons.
System secrets: Some system file types don't run by themselves and don't open in an application; other programs on your PC use these files to get information about your settings, special programming functions, and other resources. You can customize your system by editing certain .ini, .inf, and other system files. For example, changing your sysoc.inf file gives you more control over uninstalling components of Windows 2000 and XP. Or edit your desktop.ini file to add wallpaper to XP's folder windows.
One common system file type is the dynamic link library, or .dll. Sometimes multiple applications will install one .dll file, potentially causing conflicts. To help advanced users and IS pros sort through .dll-related snafus, Microsoft has set up a searchable database that they can use to ferret out the purpose of any Microsoft .dll file.
Wascally Wegistwy files: Exported portions of the Windows Registry have the .reg extension. When you edit the Registry, these files serve as small, targeted backups of the portion you'll be working on. Click Start, Run, type regedit, press Enter, navigate the tree pane on the left (or use the Edit, Find feature), and click the section of the Registry you plan to edit. Choose Registry, Export Registry File, make sure that 'Selected branch' is highlighted, specify a name and a location to store it in, and click Save. The settings for that portion of the Registry will be saved as a file with the .reg extension. If you make a boo-boo, you can restore that portion of the Registry to its prior state by double-clicking the backup file and then following the on-screen prompts. You're not likely to encounter a problem with .reg files that you make yourself, but beware of unknown or unsolicited .reg files! If you merge a corrupt, outdated, or malicious .reg file, you can damage your Windows settings.
Until recently, the only way to password-protect individual files or folders in Windows 98 and Me was to buy additional software. Password protection
Customize outbound Windows XP error messages; add sounds and visual effects to your PC's error messages; diagnose memory errors; a better way to tweak Windows.
So there you are, minding your business, using your computer just the way you're supposed to, when bam! Up pops an announcement that some application or Windows component has 'encountered a problem and needs to close'. Note the wording: Apparently, the glitch came out of nowhere, and the application just happened to encounter it. By the way, the message states, the information you were just working on might be lost.
At least in Windows XP you can tell Microsoft about the problem. When you see the error announcement, click Send Error Report to transmit information to Microsoft that may or may not help avert the problem in future versions of the OS or in a Windows update.
If you want to know what you're sending to Microsoft, click the link provided in the error message. Unfortunately, digging through all the information to figure out just what the report contains is no small chore. The report will include some of the information that was in your system's memory at the time of the crash--oops, I mean the problem. Assume that it includes a list of applications that were running at the time of the crash. Moreover, if you were working in a document, some or all of that file's information may be reported, too. The message could even contain some of your passwords.
Microsoft officials say that they use the information for quality control, not for marketing purposes or for monitoring individual users or machines. They claim to discard information that doesn't help them solve the problem, and even data that is helpful gets deleted once the issue is unraveled. Still, if you've just had a crash, you probably want to get back to work as soon as possible. The quick solution, of course, is to click Don't Send. But there may be times when you want to tell Microsoft a little bit about a system crash. Fortunately, Windows XP provides a way to customize error reporting to ensure that you send only the information you want to share--or none at all.
Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. (If you don't have a My Computer icon on your desktop, start Windows Explorer and right-click My Computer in the left pane.) Click the Advanced tab in the System Properties dialog box, then choose the Error Reporting button on the lower right. Here are your options:
Windows only: If you don't mind informing Microsoft every time Windows blows a gasket, but you want to stay mum about the applications you use, uncheck Programs under 'Enable error reporting' but leave Windows operating system checked . Click OK twice.
Selected Microsoft programs: To send error reports to Microsoft when applications crash, make sure Programs is checked and then click Choose Programs. By default, All programs is selected in the Choose Programs dialog box, but you can be a bit more restrictive by clicking All programs in this list. To report crashes of Microsoft applications only (such as Word and Excel), leave Programs from Microsoft checked. To alert the company to problems with individual Windows components (such as Paint and WordPad), make sure Windows components is checked.
Your choice of apps: To add to your list of reporting programs, click Add in the Choose Programs dialog box and type the name of each application's executable file (the one with the .exe extension). If you don't know the name, click Browse, find and select the program, click Open, and then OK. You can add non-Microsoft programs to the tattle list, or report on only specific Microsoft applications or Windows components. After you add the programs to your list, uncheck Programs from Microsoft and/or Windows components, then click OK as many times as needed.
Your choice of exceptions: It's easy to create a list of applications about which you do not want error reports sent. In the Choose Programs dialog box, select either All programs or All programs in this list, and then click the Add button below 'Do not report errors for these programs' (not the Add button below 'All programs in this list'). Type the name of the program's executable file, or click Browse and select it. Repeat this process for all the applications you don't want to send a report on. Look over the entire dialog box one more time to make sure that the check boxes reflect your error-reporting preferences, and then click OK until all the dialog boxes are closed.
Never report: If you never want Microsoft to hear about your PC's problems, select Disable error reporting in the Error Reporting dialog box and click OK twice.
Never see error messages: To avoid being alerted at all about your system errors, select Disable error reporting in the Error Reporting dialog box and uncheck But notify me when critical errors occur. I don't recommend this option, however. I like to know whether an application actually crashed or my cat Bruno just happened to press Alt-F4 when I wasn't looking. If you don't mind a little mystery, though, this option saves you from having to close the error message whenever a program goes belly-up.
Now every time an application that isn't specified by your settings crashes, you'll see an error message similar to the old one, but without the request to send a report.
So there you are, minding your business, using your computer just the way you're supposed to, when bam! Up pops an announcement that some application or Windows component has 'encountered a problem and needs to close'. Note the wording: Apparently, the glitch came out of nowhere, and the application just happened to encounter it. By the way, the message states, the information you were just working on might be lost.
At least in Windows XP you can tell Microsoft about the problem. When you see the error announcement, click Send Error Report to transmit information to Microsoft that may or may not help avert the problem in future versions of the OS or in a Windows update.
If you want to know what you're sending to Microsoft, click the link provided in the error message. Unfortunately, digging through all the information to figure out just what the report contains is no small chore. The report will include some of the information that was in your system's memory at the time of the crash--oops, I mean the problem. Assume that it includes a list of applications that were running at the time of the crash. Moreover, if you were working in a document, some or all of that file's information may be reported, too. The message could even contain some of your passwords.
Microsoft officials say that they use the information for quality control, not for marketing purposes or for monitoring individual users or machines. They claim to discard information that doesn't help them solve the problem, and even data that is helpful gets deleted once the issue is unraveled. Still, if you've just had a crash, you probably want to get back to work as soon as possible. The quick solution, of course, is to click Don't Send. But there may be times when you want to tell Microsoft a little bit about a system crash. Fortunately, Windows XP provides a way to customize error reporting to ensure that you send only the information you want to share--or none at all.
Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. (If you don't have a My Computer icon on your desktop, start Windows Explorer and right-click My Computer in the left pane.) Click the Advanced tab in the System Properties dialog box, then choose the Error Reporting button on the lower right. Here are your options:
Windows only: If you don't mind informing Microsoft every time Windows blows a gasket, but you want to stay mum about the applications you use, uncheck Programs under 'Enable error reporting' but leave Windows operating system checked . Click OK twice.
Selected Microsoft programs: To send error reports to Microsoft when applications crash, make sure Programs is checked and then click Choose Programs. By default, All programs is selected in the Choose Programs dialog box, but you can be a bit more restrictive by clicking All programs in this list. To report crashes of Microsoft applications only (such as Word and Excel), leave Programs from Microsoft checked. To alert the company to problems with individual Windows components (such as Paint and WordPad), make sure Windows components is checked.
Your choice of apps: To add to your list of reporting programs, click Add in the Choose Programs dialog box and type the name of each application's executable file (the one with the .exe extension). If you don't know the name, click Browse, find and select the program, click Open, and then OK. You can add non-Microsoft programs to the tattle list, or report on only specific Microsoft applications or Windows components. After you add the programs to your list, uncheck Programs from Microsoft and/or Windows components, then click OK as many times as needed.
Your choice of exceptions: It's easy to create a list of applications about which you do not want error reports sent. In the Choose Programs dialog box, select either All programs or All programs in this list, and then click the Add button below 'Do not report errors for these programs' (not the Add button below 'All programs in this list'). Type the name of the program's executable file, or click Browse and select it. Repeat this process for all the applications you don't want to send a report on. Look over the entire dialog box one more time to make sure that the check boxes reflect your error-reporting preferences, and then click OK until all the dialog boxes are closed.
Never report: If you never want Microsoft to hear about your PC's problems, select Disable error reporting in the Error Reporting dialog box and click OK twice.
Never see error messages: To avoid being alerted at all about your system errors, select Disable error reporting in the Error Reporting dialog box and uncheck But notify me when critical errors occur. I don't recommend this option, however. I like to know whether an application actually crashed or my cat Bruno just happened to press Alt-F4 when I wasn't looking. If you don't mind a little mystery, though, this option saves you from having to close the error message whenever a program goes belly-up.
Now every time an application that isn't specified by your settings crashes, you'll see an error message similar to the old one, but without the request to send a report.
Tips N TricksWindows Tips: Password-Protect Your Sensitive Files and Folders
Keep files private in XP and Me by compressing their folders; the last word on killing Messenger in XP Home.
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.
To compress a folder, right-click the desktop or inside any folder, and choose New, Compressed Folder (in Windows Me) or New, Compressed (zipped) 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:
"Private" isn't "impervious": Compressed-folder passwords keep files private, but they don't protect them (or even the entire compressed folder) from being deleted. If your sensitive files are important, keep backups of them in a safe place.
Add files before protecting: All of the files in your compressed folder are password-protected at the time you create the password. Any files you add to the folder subsequently will not be password-protected, so make sure the compressed folder contains every file you need to protect before you create the password. To protect files that you add later, open the compressed folder and use the File, Decrypt or File, Remove Password command, and then the File, Encrypt or File, Add a Password command again to password-protect all the files in the folder. You could also compress individual files and give each its own password.
Undo the lock: If you decide to remove the password protection from a file or folder, you have two options. The first is to extract all the contents, either by dragging the file (or files) out of their window or by right-clicking the folder and choosing Extract All (if you prefer the "wizard" approach). Your second option is to open the compressed folder and choose File, Decrypt (in Windows Me) or File, Remove Password (in Windows XP). Either way, Windows will prompt you for your original password Keep folder contents a secret: A password-protected folder's file names are visible even though the files themselves are inaccessible without the password. To hide them, compress a folder inside another compressed folder and password-protect the topmost . Other users can open the top compressed folder, but not the subfolder holding the files.
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.
To compress a folder, right-click the desktop or inside any folder, and choose New, Compressed Folder (in Windows Me) or New, Compressed (zipped) 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:
"Private" isn't "impervious": Compressed-folder passwords keep files private, but they don't protect them (or even the entire compressed folder) from being deleted. If your sensitive files are important, keep backups of them in a safe place.
Add files before protecting: All of the files in your compressed folder are password-protected at the time you create the password. Any files you add to the folder subsequently will not be password-protected, so make sure the compressed folder contains every file you need to protect before you create the password. To protect files that you add later, open the compressed folder and use the File, Decrypt or File, Remove Password command, and then the File, Encrypt or File, Add a Password command again to password-protect all the files in the folder. You could also compress individual files and give each its own password.
Undo the lock: If you decide to remove the password protection from a file or folder, you have two options. The first is to extract all the contents, either by dragging the file (or files) out of their window or by right-clicking the folder and choosing Extract All (if you prefer the "wizard" approach). Your second option is to open the compressed folder and choose File, Decrypt (in Windows Me) or File, Remove Password (in Windows XP). Either way, Windows will prompt you for your original password Keep folder contents a secret: A password-protected folder's file names are visible even though the files themselves are inaccessible without the password. To hide them, compress a folder inside another compressed folder and password-protect the topmost . Other users can open the top compressed folder, but not the subfolder holding the files.
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