privacy/sharing with XP pro

[IKeelU]

Problem: the "my documents" folder cannot be accessed by other accounts on my computer, even though I unchecked the "make this folder private" option.

It's very frustrating that MS is deciding for me what I can/cannot share. I should be able to make ANY folder private,public, or shared on my network (with the exception of crucial system files perhaps).

 

[PowerEngineer]

I'm not exactly sure why you are having this kind of problem, but perhaps it has to do with the nature of your account or the security restrictions placed in your folder.

I know that accounts with admin priviledges can see all folders by default. It also seems that even users with limited accounts get access (as part of the USER group) to all folders. I had to go to some trouble to change the folder security setting to prevent the other users from being able to access each others folders.

Whatever the problem is, I'm pretty sure this isn't one that can be assigned back to Bill Gates.

 

[Lord Evermore]

If the other users aren't admin accounts, then they probably can't see that folder. It's not really a bad thing for Microsoft to make the default storage folder for a user's documents be unreadable by other people, since 90% of users wouldn't know they needed to manually secure it and would just assume nobody else can see their files. If I recall correctly (it's been awhile) *nix OSes also prevent most users from seeing into your home directory unless you specifically set permissions to allow it.

 

[IKeelU]

okay. I should have mentioned that what I am using an admin account, and that I wish to allow limited accounts to access my documents.

 

[stevewm]

What version of XP are you using? Pro or Home?


In Pro, disable Simple File Sharing first... Do this by opening a My Computer/Explorer window, goto Tools, Folder Options, View tab, scroll to bottom, untick "Use Simple File Sharing" and click Apply.

Now, right click on the folder(s)/files(s) in question. Select Properties, goto the Security tab. You'll see a list of users. Highlight a user and it will show you what permissions that user has. If the user you want to allow access is not in the list click the Add button, enter the account name and click OK. The account will now be in the list, highlight it and tick the permissions you want for that account and click Apply.


If you are in XP Home you cannot disable Simple File Sharing. So to adjust file permissions you will need to ethier use the command line CACLS utility or alternatively boot up Windows in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, XP Home will give you the Security tab on any file or folder and allow you to edit file permissions.