how to put a password to a share folder?

Hi every one, does anyone have an idea how to put a password to a network share forlder under windows xp? I'm really going through this and get mad with ms support. Windows 2k seems ok and failry easy but xp thing really annoying me. So Even this seems to be a simple thigs i really need to find out how to do this.

go to folder options (open up my computer.. and in the menu bar click tools->folder options).. go to the view tab.. and disable simple file sharing all the way at the bottom. now right click whatever you want to share.. go to the sharing tab and do what you want from there.. need anymore help just ask

Just a quick note: that option isn't available in WinXP Home Edition. -- Paul

how to put the password

well thanks to OLMI i found some hidden features in there but still i don't see an option to put a pssword to that particular folder i need. Even under share permission i don't see much new no options for password. Is there anything i miss out there?

you go to permissions.. and then you can create accounts on the computer for other people to use.

how to access it through network?

Still i don't get the answer I'm looking for. We're having an small network here where u find 40 - 60 computers and it is a workgroup. My requirment is to share one of folder in windows xp with a password so other users in the network can access that folder only if they know the password. the network exesisting with win 95, win98, w2k and xp pro computers. So creating accounts into the com won't be an option.

In XP Pro, this is done with NTFS permissions (like OLMI suggested). The password protection of a folder or file is provided by the file attributes and user rights set on specific objects.

You can however set up a compressed folder with password protection (by either right clicking on the desktop and selecting New-->Compressed Folder, or (My Computer | File menu | New | Compressed Folder)...you can then open the compressed folder that you want to password protect. On the File menu, click "Add a Password" | In the "Password" box, type the password that you want to use | Type the same password in the "Confirm Password" box, and then click OK.

There's a program called Folder Guard which I believe you can use to actually password protect a folder in XP. You can find it here...

http://www.winability.com/folderguard

If you'd like to learn more about file/folder permissions in XP Home/Pro, I've included a link to a MSKB article which describes permissions in detail...

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP

The two reference links at the bottom of the page are also very helpful regarding permissions and password-protection.

If you're running XP Home, you can get around the "Simple File Sharing" issue by booting up in Safe Mode (use NTFS permissions to restrict access to a folder). Otherwise, if you don't mind using text interface commands, you can use the cacls.exe command line tool (located in ...\Windows\System32) in normal mode to modify the permissions.

Not Happy!

Well guys actually I expect a method like windows 98 where u right click and share and give a password. Anyway thanks all for your kind attention to my problem. Anyway I know abt the permissoin in the windows nt technology and this inherting permission methods but unfortunately it won't help in this sceranio. Thanks for all of you once again!!