How-To Geek

Any popular, open-source, and/or portable application that prevents users from opening a folder or a program by requiring passwords? For strong privacy and security, I would encrypt my files with something like TrueCrypt. However, I want a quick way to access files by just entering a password in order to access a folder or a program after double-clicking the file. I know that it's not necessary as secure as encrypting the files, but it would be far more convenient. This allows me to let my friends/family use my computer without them tinkering with private data--they can do the basics like general web browsing or playing a video from their hard drive.

I've googled and found some several programs to fulfill this need, but they are all very obscure and unpopular programs made by someone who had some free time on their hands.

I can create a limited account on Windows for this purpose, but it takes up unnecessary space, time, and resources, and I want to maintain certain settings that I have on my primary account.

Thanks.

I only have a few programs and files that I need to lock up and I was thinking the program would just ask for a password and you enter it when you double-click the exe. My friends/family don't use my computer often, and when they do, I don't want to make it seem like a big deal for me to ensure they don't touch anything I don't want them to touch, especially when they are just claiming to do some simple task. I don't even need a lengthy password--just something really simple because the presence of having something pop-up and asking for a password is enough to deter most general users.

I guess I can create a guest account as a last resort, but like I said it takes up resources and I would have to tweak a bunch of settings to have it match my primary account's. Also, it's not like they use my computer on a frequent basis.

For encrypting / decrypting the odd files or folders... try the free AxCrypt. I like its right click context menu. Also included is an easy-to-use, secure file shredder.