How to hide-password protect files/My Documents etc-Tips by Colton

[Colton_White]

How to Hide Files/Password Protect/increase performance : [for average computer users] Tips by Colton

Very easy lessons for average computer users using Microsoft Windows.
[click below to see the specific post]

• 1.How to Hide files & Folders?
  
• 7.Create user-account so noone can see what's in your my-documents.
  [others can use computer as well..from either guest account/ their own account!]
  <-no Internet connection needed.
  
• 2.How to easily remove your history and temporary files.
• 3.How to password protect your 'sensitive material'
• How to increase performance with Disk Defragment
• remove errors from the hard-disk.
• 5.rename multiple files at once:-
• How to Size reduce/ edit videos for sending as email etc.?
• 6.Take photo of your computer screen without camera!
• Make webpage load faster : Disable Advertizments/images by Firefox web-browser.
• Screen Magnifier for people with weak eyes. (no download req.)
• Mouse Cursor speed etc. Adjustment

... more stuff yet to be added : just subscribe to this thread [and rate it as 5 stars!]
Caution:-
@Readers
don't be afraid downloading from those links: they're safe and free softwares [less than 2 MB size]
no malware/virus/spyware/advertizment/registration.

@those who think they know better than I do:-
I've wrote this tech-blog with minimum technical terms and details I've made it simple and avoided explaining all the
advanced functions so that average users don't get confused/bored/scarred.
besides few friends of mine here don't know how to hide files etc. things that's why
I've created this thread for the benifit of everyone who doesn't know it.

and... I know there are lot other alternatives to Winrar and Ccleaner but I'm used to those programs.

@Respected Mods.
please don't move this thread..



IMPORTANT REQUEST:-
only post in this thread if you have some querry/suggestion. [infact better if you just send me a PM] please, do not post for thanking/appreciating the thread. I want to keep this thread with only important stuff.. there are many things I'm yet to add. [ie. if there are lot chat posts then a newcomer won't bother to see what tips I might have posted on page 2 etc. I hope you understand.. thanks in advance.] if you feel happy / benifitted using my tips then RATE this thread as 5 star!

 

[Colton_White]

HOW TO HIDE FILES/Folders?

HOW TO HIDE FILES/Folders?
[no need to download anything!!]
We don’t want anyone seeing that sensitive material in your computer, right?

See the attachment picture for easy learning.
[otherwise read the detailed confusing info below ..lol.]
• Select the file or folder you want to hide [you can select multiple files/folder by dragging and selecting all of them]
• Right click > properties > on the popup window tick on Hidden attribute. And then click OK
• If you have choosen to Hide a folder, then another window will come and it’d ask you
whether you want to hide all the files in side that folder too, so select hide all files in it.
• Once you click on ok, it’ll hide the files.

OK HIDING THE FILES IS COMPLETE, NOW You CAN’T SEE THOSE FILES IN THAT PLACE.

So now learn how to see those files.??

• Look on the top of whatever folder you’re in
• Now look at the top bar File/Edit/View etc. menus
• Click on Tools  Folder options.
• A new window named folder options pops up.
• It has some tabs, general / view / file types / offline files
• Select the View tab
• Now you can see a lot of checkboxes and options there
• Look at that list, the 9th one is Hidden files and folders , it has two options , Do not show hidden files and folders and show hidden files and folders
• When you want to see that hidden files select the show hidden files and folders button. And click on ok
• Now look there you can see your hidden files and folders there where you had hidden them. [Their icons will be semi transperent]
• When you want computer not to show those hidden files, just go back to Tools Folder options  View tab and click on restore
default button click ok. So it will stop showing those transparent looking hidden files / folders

By this technique hide all the sensitive material in your pc that you think can get you in an embarrassing situation

==============

 

[Colton_White]

Cleaning History and Temporary files.

..Cleaning History and Temporary files.

Every time you do anything in your computer.. windows automatically makes some history record of it
and creates some temporary files. its essential for the working.

Disadvantage:-
Takes huge space on hard disk if left unattended. [=slow speed performance]
Parents/Partner/Boss/ etc can see what you were doing.

What do to?
CCleaner is a freeware [size only 674 KB!]. Download it safe from softpedia: Link is Here
[assuarance:- no malware/spyware/virus/ad/registration/etc.]
[I won't get any money for it.]
Instruction for usage:
1. download
2. Install [ keep clicking on yes..next..ok.. until setup finishes lol]
3. Start the Program by double clicking on its icon.

[see the attachment picture]
=========

 

[Colton_White]

.Password Protect Important Files

.Password Protect Important Files:-
again free trick using the famous trial compression software named Winrar [1.15 MB size!].
Download it from softpedia free and safe :Link is here
[after 30 days use it'll keep asking u to buy everytime u use it. just close that pop up ]
I've typed detailed instructions along with screenshot in below attachment. Use it.

in short it'll make a 'suitcase' e.g. a RAR file in which your 'secret file' will be saved
and that 'suitcase' can't be opened without password. after you have made the suitcase just delete the
original file. in case you ever want to keep that file out of the bag.. just right click on that RAR file>extract here.

=> if files bigger than 20 MB then it takes little long time to pack/ unpack the suitcase.
=>for regular computer jargon this 'suitcase' is called 'compressed archive.'

=> Be adviced that WINRAR/any other encryption software is not full proof protection.
so if you have some important business plans/ credit card numbers etc. then read below..
=> Best way to protect stuff>> make a fake email id and
save it as an email draft instead. don't tell that id to anyone, and remove history from computer
[using ccleaner]..that its COMPLETELY SECRET. I recommend using Gmail for it.

 

[Colton_White]

Disk Defragment for performance increase

Disk Defragment for performance increase
[no download needed]

Close all the windows and programs [music/Internet explorer etc.] running on your computer.
then...
Click on ...Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragment.

The program will start. Just select the C: drive and click on 'defragment.'
now leave the computer alone for 1 hour or more
[based on the how much stuff have stored in your PC]

Summery:-
Disk Defragmenter analyzes local hard disk and consolidates fragmented files and folders so that each occupies a single,
contiguous space on the volume. As a result, your system can access files and folders and save new ones more efficiently.

i.e. imaging a room full of cluttered furniture around, it'll take more time to navigate through it, than in a room
with neatly arranged furniture etc.

 

[Colton_White]

Check and repair hard-disk from errors!
[no download needed]

Go to My Computer. Right click on C: drive > Properties > tools tab >
On the 'Error Checking' part click on > Check now.

a new window pops up > Tick mark on 'automatically fix system errors'> click 'Start' in that window
> Yes > restart computer.

Now once the computer starts a blue screen comes up to scan the disk for any errors.
it might take 10-20 minutes.
but don't worry once finished you might be free from many errors, slowdowns, crashes
you were suffering previously.

 

[Colton_White]

rename multiple files at once

if I start listing the computer tips and tricks .. there will be many
but above are the very important tips.

another quick lesson:-
rename multiple files at once:-
[no download needed]

just see the photo attached below and you'll learn it.
*UPDATE*

My friend Emillio thought it will only work in Vista. [he has posted below]
so I want to clarify that....

every tip is tried and tested on microsoft xp by myself.
and I've been using it since more than a year

lol, don't get confused over the theme of screenshots.. yes it looks like Vista screenshot
but it is my xp using VistaTransformation pack
nowadays I'm using Brico's Vista Transformation pack.
so feel free to use every trick posted here.

 

[Emilio_di_Roccabruna]

another quick lesson:-
rename multiple files at once:-
[no download needed]

Just a quick note, I'm afraid this works only under Windows Vista.
That's too bad, it might have been useful...

 

[Colton_White]

Just a quick note, I'm afraid this works only under Windows Vista.
That's too bad, it might have been useful...

no man, every tip is tried and tested on microsoft xp by myself.
and I've been using it since more than a year

lol, don't get confused over the theme of screenshots.. yes it looks like Vista screenshot
but it is my xp using VistaTransformation pack
nowadays I'm using Brico's Vista Transformation pack.

 

[Emilio_di_Roccabruna]

Oops, my bad, just tried it and it works under XP...
Sorry about that!

 

[Colton_White]

Desktop with no wallpaper and no shortcut icons= faster computer

Not each of us has a high performance computer
with fast CPU and lots of RAM.. so we need to efficiently use what we have.

How? .. two very simple tricks to increase your performance a 'lil.

1.Disable the Wallpaper. [Don't use any photo]
[See the attachment.] it'll save some memory load on cpu. and boost the performance by little.

2. More shortcut icons you have on desktop, more of your RAM memory is permanently 'occupied'
so just delete the shortcuts that you don't use frequently. instead, just add them in your start menu.
[drag and drop that icon on Start button>put it anywhere you want.]

[there are many other tips to e.g. increasing virtual pageing file size etc.
ie. alloting a part of hard disk as 'page file'to act as RAM, but I don't want to confuse / scare you
but I'll definatly add them later. ]

 

[Colton_White]

Take photo of your computer screen without camera!

[no new software/hardware needed]

[see the attached photo, it has detailed info.]
yeah I'm not joking, its possible,
by using Printscreen [prtscr] button on your keyboard.

just tap on it>go to
start>programs>acccesories>paint>

in the pain menubar..edit>paste>save as jpeg!!

 

[Colton_White]

Create user-account so no-one can see what's in your my-documents.

[no download needed]

yes many people don't know but you CAN make different user accounts on xp
and password protect them [optional] .. so no-one except you can see what's
in your my documents!!
its like having a locker room.
1. no need to hide or password protect files/folders as
no-one can see them if they're saved in your my documents.

2.and no internet connection is needed to
create/use this accounts

3. others can use computer as well..from either guest account/ their own account!

4. apart from the privacy point of view..
having different user accounts helps...
Helps protecting the system in case of some virus attacks/ if you mess up with some settings
in some other program... then you can go to other account and correct yourself.
rather than having to reinstall everything.




PS. before you do it, just copy your current my document stuff in a separate folder somewhere else. e.g. on C or D drive. and once done with the user account.. sign inside your account> cut and paste that stuff back to your my documents and you are done

Check out the attached images for easy learning!

 

[upside_down]

I am a bit of computer freak as well lol, just to add on this thread lets hear some problems that pple here may have, colon and I can try to help u guys the best we can. Sound like plan?

 

[Colton_White]

*update*

please please please ..check my post number 22


Make webpage load faster : Disable Advertizments/images by Firefox web-browser.

 

[Ran4]

Cute guides, but I think that you should add some kind of warnings to using Winrar to password encrypt something.

Winrar is in no way secure! Especially if you are using an older version of Winrar, which might have been "cracked" (simplified words ).

Winrar might be adequate to keep newbies from seeing "secret" fotos, but anyone with the least bit of knowledge might easily get a hold of the fotos.

If you are going to use winrar, use a long password (over 10 characters!) that isn't a word. Otherwise, anyone could with some simple software "crack the code" just by testing all possible combinations (with help from a wordlist). Most people is probably going to use a short and common word, and such a password could be cracked in a matter of seconds.

If you want to be completely sure that your pictures/whatever is safe, you have to use good encryption software. One good example is Truecrypt, which is probably one of the most safest ways to encrypt something - nobody will be able to crack your file, as long as the password is long enough.


Sure, learning how to work Truecrypt isn't as easy as using winrar, but good data protection is extremely important.

If you can't protect your "secret photos", then either you shouldn't store them on a computer, or you shouldn't let them be secret at all.

 

[shykittyme]

Thanks so much, sweetie....much better already...I appreciate it more than i can say! xoxo

 

[shykittyme]

Noted...thank you, Ran.

Cute guides, but I think that you should add some kind of warnings to using Winrar to password encrypt something.

Winrar is in no way secure! Especially if you are using an older version of Winrar, which might have been "cracked" (simplified words ).

Winrar might be adequate to keep newbies from seeing "secret" fotos, but anyone with the least bit of knowledge might easily get a hold of the fotos.

If you are going to use winrar, use a long password (over 10 characters!) that isn't a word. Otherwise, anyone could with some simple software "crack the code" just by testing all possible combinations (with help from a wordlist). Most people is probably going to use a short and common word, and such a password could be cracked in a matter of seconds.

If you want to be completely sure that your pictures/whatever is safe, you have to use good encryption software. One good example is Truecrypt, which is probably one of the most safest ways to encrypt something - nobody will be able to crack your file, as long as the password is long enough.


Sure, learning how to work Truecrypt isn't as easy as using winrar, but good data protection is extremely important.

If you can't protect your "secret photos", then either you shouldn't store them on a computer, or you shouldn't let them be secret at all.

 

[Monazwx]

I hope this turns into a sticky of some sort.

 

[Colton_White]

Cute guides, but I think that you should add some kind of warnings to using Winrar to password encrypt something.

Winrar is in no way secure! Especially if you are using an older version of Winrar, which might have been "cracked" (simplified words ).
.......l.

Thanks for the input but
1. as I said in my first post, I know there are lot alternatives to Winrar etc. but I told winrar cause
I m used to them..AND its easier to teach winrar to avg. users this thread is meant for the 'average' home users, living with
average' computer knowing people [partner/parents/boss etc.
and not for 'How to protect your pc from nerds and hackers'
we are talking about hiding porno etc. from other average computer users and not about hiding/protecting
CIA's Middle east contact list./ some important coroprate office business plans/credit card PIN numbers.

2. the link provided for WINRAR is the latest version and its free. all those
password cracking softwares .. are not free..so either you buy it or you download it warez/torrent..more chances..you will get lot virus and trojans in the process too
so please those who are reading this.. don't try password craking softwares from warez/torrent.

3. Everything is crackable. with so many keyloggers and stuff like that.

4. Best way to protect stuff>> make a fake email id and
save it as an email draft instead. don't tell that id to anyone, and remove history from computer
[using ccleaner]..that its COMPLETELY SECRET

PS. you are absolutly right but please don't start a debate on how much Truecrypt is better etc.
I just want to keep this thred chat free only with important stuff meant for average computer users.
========

@Monazwx God bless you for your kind words

@shykittyme.. thanks a lot.

IMPORTANT REQUEST:-
only post in this thread if you have some querry/suggestion.
please, do not post for thanking/appreciating the thread. I want to keep this thread with only important stuff.. there are many things I'm yet to add. [ie. if there are lot chat posts then a newcomer won't bother to see what tips I might have posted on page 2 etc. I hope you understand.. thanks in advance.]

 

[tammytoodles]

////////

 

[Colton_White]

Make webpage load faster : Disable Advertizments/images by Firefox web browser.
[very small sized free-downloads- no registration needed ]
you can surf Internet a lot faster if you just use Firefox :
it has some features by which you can disable the annoying advertisements, animations, photos in the webpage.

see the attachment image to get idea how the web page will it look?

1. Download Firefox [5.7 MB]

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Its a webbrowser just like Internet Explorer, but with more functionalities thanks to the Add-On [small sized free programs that you can add with your firefox.]

In order to install it, just follow the pasted links and then on that webpages click on the glowing green download button to start download, wait for 3 seconds and then click on install now [Firefox will warn you that it can be harmful if you install the things from untrusted source. But don't worry, we're installing it from the official firefox site and lot people are using it with no harm, including me]

After installing every of the 3 plug in / addon, you need to restart your Firefox browser.
[i.e. exit firefox and start It again.. lol you don't need to restart your computer]

Links:-
1. Adblock-Plus [236 KB]
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
2. Flash Block [65 KB]
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433
3. Imglike Opera [90 KB]
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1672

Summery:-
Adblock removes advertizment automatically. in case you want some specific image blocked.. just right click on it..adblock image>ok.
Flashblock = removes Flash animation banner type advertizments and replaces it with white box with 'F' mark.[if you want to see it just double click on it.]
Imglikeopera = removes all the images from webpage. [see its screenshot to get idea.]
=======
there are lot other things you can try with Firefox.
Just go to their add-on website [totally free-no registration needed lol]
http://en-US.add-ons.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/2.0.0.11/extensions/
=======
in case you want to modify anything about the add-on
start firefox>main menu bar>Tools>Add-on.
=======
Advantages:-
1. webpage loads a lot faster because it doesn't need to download all those images and advertizment banners
2. works miracle on dial up and slow speed broadbands.
=======
I'll post more add-on related tricks later.

 

[fenghuang]

Great advice. Gets my vote for making it a sticky or adding it to the Balck Manual

 

[Colton_White]

How to Size reduce/ edit videos for email etc.?
[no software download needed]

you want to send some video to your friend?
but the video is so big it'll take hours to upload it?
No Worries! you don't need to buy any software..
it comes with XP itself. named 'Movie maker.'
and its easy to use.
HOW?.... [see the attached image for easy learning!]
Just go to Start>Programs > Accesories -> Windows Movie maker
1. click on import the video [ie. locate it in the hard disk]
2. Drag it to the story board [comic strip like boxes in the bottom
3. Menu bar ->File -> Save Movie -> Give a name to the size reduced video - > select the settings ->
i.e. how much size/ resolution / internet connection type ->finish.

e.g. you can convert a VCD quality 1 minute video of 6 MB size, to like
for dial-up ISDN user -- it will convert it to 100 KB ! [reduction in quality ofcourse]

PS..
1. those new videos are saved in My Document-> My videos folder.

2. the original video is not over-written so don't worry, it'll just make anoher 'size reduced movie!'


advanced EDITING use:-
[not hard to do.. just try yourself... see the attachment image to lil direction]
1. you can edit any video and cut only the choicest clips to make your video. or join two videos
2. You can add titles , credits, and other cool stuff in it.
3. You can capture video from your webcam and directly edit it [simulatenously with this same program]
4. You can dub' voice
5. add video/ picture to a song.

 

[Ran4]

Thanks for the input but
1. as I said in my first post, I know there are lot alternatives to Winrar etc. but I told winrar cause
I m used to them..AND its easier to teach winrar to avg. users this thread is meant for the 'average' home users, living with
average' computer knowing people [partner/parents/boss etc.
and not for 'How to protect your pc from nerds and hackers'
we are talking about hiding porno etc. from other average computer users and not about hiding/protecting
CIA's Middle east contact list./ some important coroprate office business plans/credit card PIN numbers.

2. the link provided for WINRAR is the latest version and its free. all those
password cracking softwares .. are not free..so either you buy it or you download it warez/torrent..more chances..you will get lot virus and trojans in the process too
so please those who are reading this.. don't try password craking softwares from warez/torrent.

3. Everything is crackable. with so many keyloggers and stuff like that.

4. Best way to protect stuff>> make a fake email id and
save it as an email draft instead. don't tell that id to anyone, and remove history from computer
[using ccleaner]..that its COMPLETELY SECRET

PS. you are absolutly right but please don't start a debate on how much Truecrypt is better etc.
I just want to keep this thred chat free only with important stuff meant for average computer users.]

Well, I'm not talking about "computer hackers and nerds".
What I'm saying is that if 1000 people follow your guide, in ten minutes I could teach a ten year old how to crack over 10% of those passwords (probably).

2. Winrar isn't "free", it's shareware, that can be used even thought "your time is over". And what has legality to do with anything?
There are free "password cracking softwares". And even if it isn't, do you think someone is going to stop trying to open your secret information just because there's a moral barrier? If you're going to open someones secret information, I think you have crossed the barrier a long time ago...

3. Uhm, that's only partially true. If you encrypt something with truecrypt, with a good password, the chance that anyone would ever be able to regain that information in the next ten years is extremely slim. And then we're not talking "computer hackers and nerds", now we're talking anyone.
And sure, keyloggers (especially hardware keyloggers) are probably much, much more dangerous than having a short password. But unless you're already being spied upon, you are still very much safe.

4. E-mail? No way. It's extremely insecure.


I admire you for trying to explain things in simple terms (I'm not very good at that...), but what I'm saying is that winrar isn't secure enough, even for a home user. I'd suggest you to write a truecrypt guide - truecrypt is 100% free (free and open source), extremely secure and at least it isn't impossible to use, even for beginners. I would have written one myself if it werent for my language barrier.