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Protect Shared Folders in XP Home

In Windows XP Home Edition, there is no way to add a password to a shared folder, which means you can’t restrict individual access to the folder. But there is a way to prevent outsiders (those without a valid username and password) from accessing the shared folder.

Outsiders without valid username and password can only access the shared folder as a Guest. By password-protecting the Guest account, we can prevent such access.

  1. Log on as Administrator.
  2. Go to Settings->Control Panel->User Accounts, and click on Guest Account to make sure it is turned on.
  3. Go to Start->Run, type cmd, and hit Enter.
  4. At the prompt, type net user guest password and hit Enter.
  5. Go back to User Accounts and click on the Guest account. Note that you can now add a password.Do so and reboot.

From now on, any attempt to log on to shared folders from the Guest account will require the Guest password for access; even if the Guest account is turned off!

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