You can password protect Word and Excel files via an option in the Save As menu. Don't think you can do it with any other types of file unless you use a third party application.
In Windows explorer, right-click the file or folder and choose properties.
Click the Advanced button on the General tab.
Check the box "Encrypt contents to secure data"
Click OK to close the Advanced dialog
Click OK to close the properties dialog
This will not prevent other people from accessing the file if they log in with your user name and password.
The trouble with windows encryption (as roj says)
is you still have access to files (if you are logged on) of the file names if not.....
all my bank accounts.doc
which could in itself be enough
truecrypt lets you create a virtual disc ... with two levels of access ... so all you can see is the container ... not the contents. http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php
roj ... I'm surprised you don't use this .... it has an ubuntu version!!!! ;-)
Well ACtheTROLL, I'll have a look at it, but I've been using Kryptel for probably at least 5 years, and I've never had to pay for an update, so I guess I don't really have a lot to gain by switching :-)
Well you will usually need a special program for that to work they way you want it to. Here do this. Download folder lock for free(it says free download. And its the first like i posted) install the program as normal. Then when complete it will ask for a code to get full virsion so go to the second link to get it
just try kakasoft folder protector http://www.kakasoft.com