Question

Everything I open needs to ask for a password. What software will help do do this task? I am using Windows XP 32 bit.

Answer: I right-clicked any .EXE I wanted to prompt me a password -> Advanced -> Checked off "Run with different credentials".

Answer 1

I recommend using local security policies to lock down a user account, rather than password protecting everything. Creating a highly restricted user should be sufficient.

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles%5Ftutorials/wxppspol.html is a quick guide to getting started with local security policies. You should be able to create a user account and then tailor it to your security needs. There are many more settings than shown in that article, and through a combination of security policy and permissions you should be able to create a totally locked down user.

Answer 2

maybe this is for you:

PC Security™ is the ultimate computer security system offering File Lock, Folder Lock, System Lock, Shortcut/Program Lock, Explorer Control, Context Menu, Restricted System, Window Lock, Intruder Detection with Alarm, Import and Export PC Security settings, Flexible and complete password protection, and Drag and Drop support.

Shortcut/Program Lock:

File Lock:

Folder Lock:

PC Security™ is shareware ($44.95), try before you buy.

Answer 3

Why not just set a BIOS boot password? That way nobody can even boot up into Windows without authenticating.

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After your comment, it seems setting up a kiosk solution would be better if only browsers will be accessed. Since it's using multiple browsers, you could use 1 account per browser or set up a hotkey to switch browsers.

You can start up IE with the -k switch for kiosk mode.

For Firefox, look into the R-kiosk add-on (only supported up to FF 3.1b3 though unfortunately).

Certain keyboard shortcuts still work in some of the kiosk modes, you can combat the possibilities with AutoHotkey to remap any combinations you'd like, and even create a very complex combination to unlock it if you need to change something. Of course you can take extra security measures with group policies, and create a backup in case some crafty fellow manages to bypass everything.

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For a fairly cheap software solution ($10), WinGuard Pro does what you want. There is a free version as well but it is fairly limited in functionality.

Answer 4

Take a look at Windows Steady State. It makes it fairly easy to lock down a computer, and you can use it in conjunction with local security policies.

Answer 5

I have solved my own problem.

What I did was, I right-clicked any .EXE I wanted to prompt me a password -> Advanced -> Checked off "Run with different credentials". Easy fix that anyone could have figured out if they took the time to think a little :).

Thanks for everybodys' help. I will post the answer in the description for future reference.

Answer 6

Sounds like you're asking for full disk encryption. You'll need to enter a password once when the computer boots, but nothing will be accessible until you do and you will not need to enter it again. It's a little more practical than encrypting every file individually.

Check out TrueCrypt. Be careful, though; if you lose your password or mess something up, you could permanently lose your data.

If this isn't the case, state your needs a little more clearly.

Answer 7

DiskCryptor is a free full disk encryption application. It is seamless and very fast in operation and does not interfere with your computing speed at all.

You will have a new password to enter before boot, and then your regular windows account password to get to your data.

No one can access the disk without both passwords.

The initial encryption takes awhile to do. After that everything is very fast and there are no slowdowns at all.

Great for laptops, but also desktop systems.