WinXP - Don't want others see your files. Encrypt them with XP

You have some very important folders or files that you do not want others have access to. Or you just want to keep a little bit of privacy. Here’s the ways how you can encrypt files from being seen by others.

Use WINRAR. It is very convenient and easy to operate. I believe you have installed this program on your computer. Here’s how:
1. Right-click the folder you want to encrypt and then click "Add to archive".
2. Select "Advanced" page, click "Set Password."
3. In the blank text box, enter the password you want to set. Click "OK.
4. Then click "OK".
5. When you want to open the folder, double-click the folder, it pops up a dialog box allowing you to enter the password. Enter the password and click "OK."
6. Later you can also add others files to the folder
It is very simple. By this way others cannot even see the title of the folder.

Encryption by using XP itself
1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the file or folder you want to encrypt, and then click "Properties."
3. Click "Advanced" in the "General" tab, Select "Encrypt contents to secure data" check box.

Please note the following five points when encrypting:
1. To open the "Windows Explorer", click "Start → Programs → Accessories," then click "Windows Explorer."
2. Only files or folders on NTFS partition volume can be encrypted, but not FAT.
3. Compressed files or folders can also be encrypted. When a compressed file or folder is encrypted, it will be decompressed.
4. Files labeled as “system” attribute cannot be encrypted, and files located in the Systemroot directory structure cannot be encrypted.
5. When a folder is encrypted, the system asks if you want to encrypt its subfolders. If yes, then its sub-folders will be encrypted. Later any added files or subfolders will be automatically encrypted when added.

It's worth pointing out that using XP's EFS (Encrypted File System) can be dangerous. The encryption method employed by EFS uses information specific to a single user account. Reloading the operating system or damage to Windows can leave this data unrecoverable.