Windows 7: Extra partitions for personal files

Many people have told me, and i've read in many places that its better to create a separate partition for my files (documents, videos, music etc.) so that whenever i format or something goes wrong i will still have my files available.

However the only thing holding me back from doing this is privacy. If i have windows seven installed on drive C, and all my files on drive D, whats stopping a guest from accessing those files? That is if someone logs into windows 7 on the guest account, can they still access that drive D?

If there is a way to block them from doing so then i'll go and partition my hdd.



Look forward to your replies!

Hi! Users on the guest account shouldn't be able to view anything. And you can stop other users from this as well.

See here: How to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and folders in Windows XP


Thanks,
ZeshanA
If I helped, please rep me.

thanks for the quick reply. I switched on the guest account right now, logged into it and checked to see if i can see my vista partition.. and i can. That goes against what you said about Guests not being able to see anything.

Anyway i will check out the link you posted when i have some time. thanks for that.

And repped :P

I have followed that method since the early '90s.

As to privacy, use an encription program on your personal drive but don't forget your password! Be sure to give the password to your attorney or lock it in a bank vault so if the unthinkable happens your family will have acess to your records.

Regards,
GEWB

I like the idea of an encryption program. Are there any you recommend? A quick google search doesnt bring up anything noteworthy..

Go back to the posted link and read the "permissions" section. Guests can't see anything unless granted permission.....my guess is you have no permission restrictions set.

You have to either set permissions on the files to keep people out or use an encryption application to encrypt the data within a container file. The encryption app that I recommend is True Crypt (it's free).

ok i was just testing out permissions for the D drive and now i've done something bad. I denied users of my laptop permission to access the drive, but now it wont let me access it! Im the administrator, shouldnt i be allowed? I tried to perform a system restore but it says i dont have any. Oh man. Can anyone help me here?

You will have to ownership and then reassign permissions. You can find in the advanced options section of the permission tabs.

Permissions are handled at the most restrictive possible. So, if you are a member of a group with Read and Write, but then also a member of a group that just has read...the least restrictive permission is read...thus you would only be able to read.

oh thank you, that sorted it out.

So if i wanted guests to not access the drive then which user should i change permissions for? There is listed Authenticated users, System, Administrators and Users. I tried Users and that's what caused me (as an administrator) to not be able to access the drive.