Folder protection/passwords

I am trying to create secure folders on my system to store my accounts etc, but I can't work out how to password protect folders, files and documents.

I know that there is undoubtedly a very simple way of doing this but I can't find it!

I would appreciate any help, thanks
Please help a lowly beginner and show some compassion for my incompetence!

 

More input needed....
What type of Operating system...
Are you on a network?
or stand alone computer.

 

Windows 2000
Stand alone PC
two partitioned hard drives
C: Drive NTFS
F: Fat 32

I have all program files running on C and all documents in F,
It is document Files and folders I want to password protect.
Maybe just have one secure folder where I can store accounts information, passwords, credit card details etc.

 

If you have logins enabled it is relitivly simple.
You can right click any directory or drive you want to password protect....
Goto Properties...
Goto Security...
Then assign user rights.
Say only your login can access that drive..
Ideally you should set user rights from the administrator id,
The have a logins that are controlled from admin.

If you do not have logins enabled.
Then you need to create different users.
This way you have someone to assign rights to.

 

enabling users and passwords

on a Win98 stand alone and am also puzzled about setting a password on a folder with sensitive info ... now if i enable users and put a login password to the sensitive stuff and a sort of guest password for other users to more general access, can i later go back and remove these passwords or disable the different-user settings and return the system to the way it was before ever enabling-users?

hope this isn't a total idiot question ... if it is, pls be kind

 

I would also Encrypt the contents as well. Right click the folder and on General tab click advanced and put a check mark in "Encrypt contents to secure data "

...my 2 cents.

Jim