Vista - A Program to Password protect shortcuts

Is there a program for Windows Vista Home Edition that offers password protection for shortcuts? Here's my problem;

I have a few shortcuts/Icons on my desktop I want to keep private. I've seen answers about managing administrator controls and user accounts, etc but that won't help me. I keep my computer on and signed in at all times so there is no changing of users, if I step away from my desk I'd like to be sure no one can click on a desktop Icon and access these files. I don't want to go through logging off and on throughout the day to avoid unauthorized access.

I am looking for one that will prompt for a password when the icon is clicked.
Password-IT is the only one I've found but read the review in CNET and it was not good at all. I haven't found any others. There's got to be more than one program in this IT oriented world we live in. Help Please!!

You don't have to log off. Pressing WinKey+L will lock the machine almost instantaneously, and then you type your password to get back in. That security model is safe and secure against most "threats" likely to be found in the home.

Everyone should have their own account, and when you're done using the computer you log off. That's not very complex either.

Relying on aftermarket security utilities is neither safe nor particularly robust - many of them are mediocre exercises in software development which can cause crashes or data corruption.

Hi Enja,

You can use any blue-tooth device like a headset, keyboard, mouse, mobile phone etc.. to automatically lock your machine when your more than 5-10m away, You can download this application to monitor devices you have paired via bluetooth

Bluetooth Proximity Lock

You will need a Bluetooth Dongle that has one of these two Logo's on the box or a Dongle that's automatically installed by Windows (any dongle that you can just plug to your computer and it "just works" without having to install or change anything will work with btprox) because if you have to install the Manufacturer Drivers from CD/DVD it will prevent the btprox application from being able to detect the proximity of the devices



Bluetooth Dongles are about $10-15

I cant find my dongle to show you a Vista screenshot so you know where to pair your device's but XP uses the same Menu and Icon so its all good

Immediately after plugging in your Dongle you should see this Icon in your System Tray



Just click the Add device button and follow the Wizard to connect your bluetooth device, afterwards your device will show up in the btprox application and allow you to monitor that device's proximity

Steven

Hi Enja,

Try this WinSesame : Software to password protect folders. How to password protect a folder in Windows. Although I personally haven't tried it, it has previously been suggested by Shawn here Password protected folder