# Folder Locking Utility for Win98? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 18, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539 "2003-01-18T21:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/1 "2003-01-18T21:51:52Z")
In a continuing effort to maintain a bit of privacy on my family shared computer, I am in search of a utility which will enable me to lock a folder or two in Windows 98 with a password. One that will work between programs. I see there is a lot of stuff out there, but most of it looks to have an awful lot of bells and whistles as well as potential spy ware along with it. I am looking for something simple, because I am simple minded. Any personal recomendations will be appreciated! You, of the Straight Dope were ever so helpful in directing me to a utility to allow me a bit of privacy in my favorites, I’m hoping you can help me with this. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/2 "2003-01-18T22:25:00Z")
Would security through obscurity work in your case? Could you bury the folder deep on your drive somewhere, and then change it to hidden? ---
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/3 "2003-01-18T22:36:24Z")
It might work, however I’d probably never be able to find it again. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/4 "2003-01-19T05:12:21Z")
You could upgrade to Windows XP, which has each family member sign into their own user account, and you can password-protect your account. ---
**Author:** ![habs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@habs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/habs)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/5 "2003-01-19T07:05:21Z")
This may actually be what you’re looking for: [http://www.actualsecurity.com/protectz/](http://www.actualsecurity.com/protectz/) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folder-locking-utility-for-win98/149539/6 "2003-01-19T16:14:56Z")
Our computer is shared by my husband and myself and our son. I tried out a few of those folder locking programs as well and found them to be a genuine pain in the ass. Now I actually use an idea like Joey G describes. Each of us have folders labeled with our names for personal documents, etc. In mine I have one with an obsure name like “Nurturing your inner goddess” with various files. There is one labeled Winpvcy.ini that I designate as hidden. Then I add a shortcut to it in the “send to” file in Windows. I figure even is someone actually finds the file accidently it will appear to be a driver file. Now when I want to hide something I send it to that folder by right clicking on it. When I want to see it I open the “Goddess” file and change the folder option to “view all files” It takes about 2 seconds, requires no passwords, and is so simple even I haven’t fucked it up. I use this method for passwords and such, you should see what I do to hide the pr0n. 🆒