// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Microsoft Private Folder say? "I've got a folder to hide.
| Microsoft Private Folder | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Private Folder notification area icon | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Stable release | 1.0
/ July 2006 |
| Operating system | Windows XP |
| Type | Encryption |
| License | Proprietary |
Microsoft Private Folder was a product (withdrawn and discontinued shortly after its first release) created by a Microsoft employee and available as part of their "Windows Genuine Advantage" program.[1][2][3] It allowed users to protect private data in a password protected folder called 'My Private Folder' in the user's account.[4]
The software runs only on Windows XP and is blocked due to "compatibility reasons" under Windows Vista and later.
Usage
[edit]Microsoft Private Folder created a single folder on the user's desktop which, when opened for the first time, prompted the user to assign it a password. Every subsequent time the folder was opened, the user had to re-enter the same password to gain access. While the core implementation details of this service are not public, it is assumed [citation needed] that Private Folder used strong encryption with a key based solely on this password to secure the data contained in the folder. This is in contrast to Microsoft's Encrypting File System, where encryption is tied to a keypair which can be made accessible to IT staff.
Private Folder used a system service called prfldrsvc (display name: Private Folder Service), the function of which is not yet publicly known.
References
[edit]- ↑ "Microsoft Kills Off 'My Private Folder' App". pcmag.com. 2006-07-14. Archived from the original on 2006-07-17. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
- ↑ Mondok, Matt (2006-07-17). "R.I.P. My Private Folder". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
- ↑ "Microsoft's piracy check draws complaints, lawsuits". The Augusta Chronicle. 2006-08-07. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
- ↑ "Genuine Microsoft Software". Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-07-15.