Slimy Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Following a barrage of criticism from security experts and IT administrators, Microsoft has withdrawn its new Private Folder application. The program was introduced last week as a free download for those who verify their operating system as genuine through Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage Program.Private Folder was designed to hide data from the hard drive in addition to protecting it with a password. However, the application quickly drew concern from administrators who feared users would lose their password and not be able to unlock their files. In addition, parents voiced worry that kids could use Private Folder to hide content they download. Source Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowain Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Oh ffs... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587703970 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toology Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Ditto. :blink: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704078 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian M. Veteran Posted July 15, 2006 Veteran Share Posted July 15, 2006 Answer to the two points mentioned: a: allow admins to override it - for obvious reasons b: if you dont trust your kids - give them a limited account. Then they wont be able to install it - end of. No offence, but when are people gunna stop moaning about Microsoft? There are programs available which can be used to the same thing, and no-one's had a go at them. Oh, it's Microsoft, so it MUST be bad... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704084 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3thal Veteran Posted July 15, 2006 Veteran Share Posted July 15, 2006 :no: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704085 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*John* Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Glad I got it in time! :p What a stupid decision this is. Any computer administrator worth his salt could block this program in minutes, and if parents were so concerned about their children hiding things away on the computer, how come they dont already know about the mountain of freeware apps that have pretty much always been available, that actually go further than this program does? Idiots have taken over the world....... *runs* :( Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkaic Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 I didnt even use it but too bad they pulled it. I simply use NTFS security folder settings. :p Set myself to allow all, everyone else is a deny. :) There private. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704095 Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniacidz Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Oh hum Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Answer to the two points mentioned: a: allow admins to override it - for obvious reasons b: if you dont trust your kids - give them a limited account. Then they wont be able to install it - end of. No offence, but when are people gunna stop moaning about Microsoft? There are programs available which can be used to the same thing, and no-one's had a go at them. You said it, but its Microsoft :rolleyes: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranta Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 I just had a look for a mirror for it and found MS still hosts it. http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/f...5/MSPF10ENU.msi Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704125 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagamer34 Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 By the way, what free apps offer similar but more robust functionality? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quillz Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 As I've said before, I'm sure if Apple released the exact same app, people would be praising it for the "advancements in encryption technology" it brings to the consumer. But, of course, since it's Microsoft, it's automatically Satan in an executable file. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawx Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 It'll still work fine though, right? For those who have it installed? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704147 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyj Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Answer to the two points mentioned:a: allow admins to override it - for obvious reasons b: if you dont trust your kids - give them a limited account. Then they wont be able to install it - end of. No offence, but when are people gunna stop moaning about Microsoft? There are programs available which can be used to the same thing, and no-one's had a go at them. I couldn't agree any more with your post. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mx Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 The points mentioned in the thread post about children and not being able to unlock, ffs, hundreds of freeware apps have those same problems and do the same things - why shouldn't we all attack those? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704164 Share on other sites More sharing options...
84Mark Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 You can still download it: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/offers/De...84-f3a237b58f71 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704165 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaurav Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 What the hell is wrong with people? It was a good app, and not the only one of its type. As almost everyone above says, since its Microsoft, it must go down. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourjays Veteran Posted July 15, 2006 Veteran Share Posted July 15, 2006 As I've said before, I'm sure if Apple released the exact same app, people would be praising it for the "advancements in encryption technology" it brings to the consumer. But, of course, since it's Microsoft, it's automatically Satan in an executable file. :yes: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704804 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SionicIon Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 I saved the download on my computer, and have it installed, nice app, I love it, I'm gonna put all the bad stuff I don't want my wife seeing in it! :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704979 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diffused Mind Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Parents do a lot more whining than parenting these days. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704988 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted July 15, 2006 Supervisor Share Posted July 15, 2006 As I've said before, I'm sure if Apple released the exact same app, people would be praising it for the "advancements in encryption technology" it brings to the consumer. But, of course, since it's Microsoft, it's automatically Satan in an executable file. Technically, it is an MSI, which is even more evil. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587704993 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The J Man Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 It should permit Admnistrator to choose which user could use this application. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587705351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neonix1 Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 If you really want to keep your files private i strongly suggest NOT using this application. Why? Because you can simply boot into safe-mode and have full access to the files without needing a password :) So much for a secure private folder application... Thanks Microsoft :p Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587705363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yukycg Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 If you really want to keep your files private i strongly suggest NOT using this application. Why? Because you can simply boot into safe-mode and have full access to the files without needing a password :) So much for a secure private folder application... Thanks Microsoft :p You don't have to worry anymore, there won't be v1.1 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587705475 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuBar. Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 If Microsoft can make it, anyone can. Gezzz... It's not the end of the world. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/479106-microsoft-withdraws-private-folder-app/#findComment-587705527 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts