Microsoft hands out 'private' folders

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Here are your answers

I decided to download it and see what the fuss was about. Answers to your questions are from the help file.

1. What will happen to the protected folders when the software is uninstalled.

After uninstalling all data in all the private folders (including all accounts), the data will be left in encrypted status but without access protection. Please make sure all users are informed ahead of time.

This tells me that your data is still encrypted but is not available for use. Sounds like it works the way it should. How do you get it back?

Please remember the password of the private folder where the files come from. All remaining files can be imported by using the correct password in the future.

Reinstall the app and import the files. Presto, all your files are ready to be unlocked using the original password.

2. Can it be uninstalled without the password

1. Only Administrators can uninstall this utility.

Yes, the tool can be uninstalled without the password but it will not give you access to the underlying data. As mentioned above, the data is still encrypted until you reinstall the application (presumably on any computer, doesn't need to be the same one) and import the encrypted files from a backup of your private folder.
Every user can create a own private folder in his/her account. The private folder is called My Private Folder. Similar to My Documents, it has a shortcut on the Desktop, and its real path is under the current account folder, like C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name.

Hopefully that answers your questions. Seems like an okay utility although the far better option is to use EFS and/or seperate accounts for each user.

To secure your data more reliably in Windows XP, we recommend never sharing your account with others, adding EFS protection to private files, and backing up important data.

Posted by: NonZealot   Posted on: 07/10/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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