Folder protection for windows using C# & Concepts on Windows Shell menu for Folders

UNIQUE FOLDER PROTECTION

Download coolcode_src3.zip - 55.6 KB
• Download coolcode_demo3.zip - 471.8 KB

Introduction

This Article is based on concept that will make you use your own windows platform in somewhat a better way. I am introducing a new concept of folder locking.

Generally, for everyone, it is a common topic to know how to lock and secure your folders from others. This issue is really burns lots of heads. Now, to make you understand the issue of locking your folders in windows, I am presenting the article. I think everyone will appreciate my post.

Background

The article can be used by novice, because it is totally build for users who dont know much about computers. This project uses Class IDS that can be found in registry to identify programs, and I will associate those classids to the folders to make them hidden from the others.

Using the code

To use the code, you must know .NET. I am using C# to make my project. It is windows based application made in c#. The logic of taking the default names as of windows(like textbox1,Radiobutton1 etc) to make this project simple to make. If anyone wants an updation, I will definitely place the names accordingly.

//Form 1 of Unique folder protection
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;
using System.Xml;

namespace FolderProtection
{
    public partial class frmMain : Form
    {
        public string status;
        //bool flag = true;
        string[] arr;
        private string _pathkey;
        public frmMain()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            arr = new string[6];
            status = "";
            arr[0] = ".{2559a1f2-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}";
            arr[1] = ".{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}";
            arr[2] = ".{2559a1f4-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}";
            arr[3] = ".{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}";
            arr[4] = ".{2559a1f1-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}";
            arr[5] = ".{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}";
        }
        public string pathkey
        {
            get { return _pathkey; }
            set { _pathkey=value; }
        }
         private void btnSet_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (rWLock.Checked)
                status = arr[0];
            else if (rCtrlPan.Checked)
                status = arr[1];
            else if (rWebBrow.Checked)
                status = arr[2];
            else if (rRclbin.Checked)
                status = arr[3];
            else if (rHlpSprt.Checked)
                status = arr[4];
            else if (rNetw.Checked)
                status = arr[5];

            if (fldrDialog.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
            { 
                
                DirectoryInfo d = new DirectoryInfo(fldrDialog.SelectedPath);
                string selectedpath = d.Parent.FullName + d.Name;
                if (fldrDialog.SelectedPath.LastIndexOf(".{") == -1)
                {
                    if (chkPasswd.Checked)
                        setpassword(fldrDialog.SelectedPath);
                    if (!d.Root.Equals(d.Parent.FullName))
                    d.MoveTo(d.Parent.FullName + "\\" + d.Name + status);
                    else d.MoveTo(d.Parent.FullName + d.Name + status);
                    txtPath.Text = fldrDialog.SelectedPath;
                    picStat.Image = Image.FromFile(Application.StartupPath + "\\lock.jpg");
                }
                else
                {
                    status = getstatus(status);
                    bool s=checkpassword();
                    if (s)
                    {
                        File.Delete(fldrDialog.SelectedPath + "\\p.xml");
                        d.MoveTo(fldrDialog.SelectedPath.Substring(0, fldrDialog.SelectedPath.LastIndexOf(".")));
                        txtPath.Text = fldrDialog.SelectedPath.Substring(0, fldrDialog.SelectedPath.LastIndexOf("."));
                        picStat.Image = Image.FromFile(Application.StartupPath + "\\unlock.jpg");
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        
        private bool checkpassword()
        {
            XmlTextReader read;
            if(pathkey ==null)
            read = new XmlTextReader(fldrDialog.SelectedPath + "\\p.xml");
            else
            read = new XmlTextReader(pathkey + "\\p.xml");
            if (read.ReadState == ReadState.Error)
                return true;
            else
            {
                try
                {
                    while (read.Read())
                        if (read.NodeType == XmlNodeType.Text)
                        {
                            checkpassword c = new checkpassword();
                            c.pass = read.Value;
                            if (c.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
                            {
                                read.Close();
                                return c.status;
                            }

                        }
                }
                catch { return true; }
                
            }
            read.Close();
            return false;
        }

        private Boolean setpassword(string path)
        {
            frmPassword p = new frmPassword();
            p.path = path;
            p.ShowDialog();
            return true;
        }
        private string getstatus(string stat)
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
                if (stat.LastIndexOf(arr[i]) != -1)
                    stat = stat.Substring(stat.LastIndexOf("."));
            return stat;
        }

        private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (this.pathkey != null)
            {
                
                    DirectoryInfo d = new DirectoryInfo(pathkey);
                    string selectedpath = d.Parent.FullName + d.Name;
                    if (pathkey.LastIndexOf(".{") == -1)
                    {
                        txtPath.Text=pathkey;
                        DialogResult r;
                        r = MessageBox.Show("Do You want to set password ? ", "Question?", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo);
                        if (r == DialogResult.Yes)
                        {
                            setpassword(pathkey);
                        }
                        status = arr[0];
                        if (!d.Root.Equals(d.Parent.FullName))
                            d.MoveTo(d.Parent.FullName + "\\" + d.Name + status);
                        else d.MoveTo(d.Parent.FullName + d.Name + status);
                        picStat.Image = Image.FromFile(Application.StartupPath + "\\lock.jpg");
                    }
                    else
                    {
                    status = getstatus(status);
                    bool s=checkpassword();
                    if (s)
                    {
                        File.Delete(pathkey + "\\p.xml");
                        d.MoveTo(pathkey.Substring(0, pathkey.LastIndexOf(".")));
                        txtPath.Text = pathkey.Substring(0, pathkey.LastIndexOf("."));
                        picStat.Image = Image.FromFile(Application.StartupPath + "\\unlock.jpg");
                    }
                }
            }
        }

    }
}
 

The above code is placed in form 1 of the current project. To do this project first of all, start an application choosing windows application, and place some radiobuttons on the form. Those radiobuttons will lock your folder appropriately to their respective class ids. The classids are automatically registering components that are installed on any windows system. You can get classids from windows registry. Find some help regarding CLSIDs from my bolg at http://windowstricks.spaces.live.com.

This form have a checkbox called set password, which is checked automatically. If you want to disable the locking feature to lock your folder, just uncheck this one.

Next to this, choosing the folder from the button, it will open the dialogbox choose your folder, and it will be locked.

To describe the coding, after the form is been opened if, it will assign the appropriate classids to an array called arr. Whenever the used clicks the button, it will open the file browser dialog box. Based on the radiobutton the clsid will be assigned to a variable called status. After choosing the appropriate folder, if there it is not already locked, it will lock it by renaming the folder with the extension of the classids. So that the folder will not open anymore.

Take a look at the snapshots:

The set password function will open up a new form called password, to set the password. To set the password, I have used a technique. I have made an xml file just within the folder and named it as p.xml. If the folder already have this file, it will be overwritten. so please make sure that there is no file within the folder named as p.xml.

To unlock the folder you have to again choose the folder using folderdialog box, in this case, I have called a function called getstatus, which will browse through all the clsids and choose the appropriate one from them. And then it will rename the folder accordingly. Have a look at the snapshot below:

If the folder is locked using a password, it will open up a new form called checkpassword. This form will read the xml file within the folder and check with the password given on the textbox with it. If it is correct, the function will return true, otherwise it will return false. The code of this form will look like:

//Check password dialog box...
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace FolderProtection
{
    public partial class checkpassword : Form
    {
        public string pass;
        public bool status;
        public checkpassword()
        {
            status = false;
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void btnSubmit_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (txtPassword.Text.Equals(pass))
            {
                status = true;
                this.Close();
            }
            else
            {
                MessageBox.Show("Incorrect Password!!", "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
                status = false;
            }
           
        }

        private void btnCancel_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            this.Close();
        }
    }
}

The password is set automatically from form1 to a variable called pass. It will check both of them and send the boolean value to the caller. Take a look at the snapshot below:

To set the password I have used another form called password. It will create the xml file within the folder. Take a look at the code of that form :

//Password Entry dialog box... 
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Xml;

namespace FolderProtection
{
    public partial class frmPassword : Form
    {
        public string path;
        public frmPassword()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
     
        }

        private void btnSubmit_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (txtPassword.Text.Equals(txtReenter.Text) && txtPassword.Text.Length !=0 )
            {
                XmlDocument xmldoc = new XmlDocument();
                XmlElement xmlelem;
                XmlNode xmlnode;
                XmlText xmltext;
                xmlnode = xmldoc.CreateNode(XmlNodeType.XmlDeclaration, "", "");
                xmldoc.AppendChild(xmlnode);
                xmlelem = xmldoc.CreateElement("", "ROOT", "");
                xmltext = xmldoc.CreateTextNode(txtPassword.Text);
                xmlelem.AppendChild(xmltext);
                xmldoc.AppendChild(xmlelem);
                xmldoc.Save(path + "\\p.xml");
                this.Close();
            }
            else
            {
                MessageBox.Show("Two text do not match or Blank Password", "Error");
                txtPassword.Clear();
                txtReenter.Clear();
                txtPassword.Focus();
            }
        }

    }
}

This form will create a file on the same location as the path set from form1 and read the password and set write in the root tag.

To unlock the folder choose the already locked folder and the picturebox will assure you if it is successfully unlocked or not. The successful unlock will load the picture below.

In the program.cs we made the part which will be included for the context menu.Check out the code below:

//Program.cs first to open... 
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace FolderProtection
{
    static class Program
    {
        /// <summary>
        ///Application will Check if it is opened 
        ///from Context menu or not and place the path accordingly
        /// </summary>
        [STAThread]
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
           
            Application.EnableVisualStyles();
            Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
            frmMain f = new frmMain();
            if (args.Length > 0)
                f.pathkey = args[0];
            Application.Run(f);
        }
    }
}

In this code I have assigned the pathkey if there is any argument comes from the command line of main. In general, if I open the software from run menu, there will not be any argument passed as an argument if we not explicitely send it from there. This arguments will come handy in case of using the shell context menu. Whenever we open this software from the context menu of folders, it will take the path in this arguments. For that I needed to include some Registry entries. check out the images below.

RUN MENU OPTION:

In the above image it is shown that while creating the installer, I have made a registry key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\lock.exe

This key will be used to create an option in run menu. The string path is taken as [TARGETDIR]FolderProtection.exe, so when I call lock.exe from run menu, it will be calling the file installed in your machine. TARGETDIR will give you the exact installation folder chosen.

SHELL CONTEXT MENU:

To make shell context menu called Unique Folder protection, I have made a registry entry as

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\Shell\Unique Folder Lock\command

<>this will create a new option for right click on any folder as unique folder lock. After that, in the command, it will open [TARGETDIR]Folderprotection.exe %1, so while we choose this option, it will open up the exe, The %1 defines that when it opens up the software, it will take the path of the folder chosen as argument. The argument will be taken to pathkey for use in program.cs.>

The complete source can be downloaded from the link below:

Download coolcode_src1.zip - 56.1 KB

Open the solution and you will get everything within it.

Instruction to use this Software:

For Novice, it is very handy to use this software. Please download the installer from the link below and install it according to the instruction given below:

First Download the software from the link:

Download coolcode_demo1.zip - 427.3 KB

To install this software, please run "Protection.msi". This will ask for components, which may require Internet connection sometimes.

Next after installation procedure is over, you will not find any icon over the desktop nor you will get any link in start menu.

To Run this application:

Go to START-> RUN, then type Lock.exe. The application will open up and you can use it.

Have a look at the snapshot below:

Note: To Lock or unlock, just use start - > run to open the software. you will not find any link to the programs from the start menu

Update to Installer

Download coolcode_demo2.zip - 470.9 KB

I have also added the software to Windows Shell Menu. Take a look at the snapshot below:

To Open the software you only need to go to "Unique Folder Lock" from the menu.. Try downloading this link for this option Please..

Download coolcode_demo2.zip - 470.9 KB

NEXT UPDATE:

In my early installer, it just opens the software, where you need to choose the folder again. In this update, it will dynamically lock or unlock your folders. Check out the new link below:

Download coolcode_demo3.zip - 471.8 KB

Download coolcode_src3.zip - 55.6 KB

Points of Interest

This project uses the windows registered classids. you can get your own from registry. I have made this software for Windows, So it will not run in any other platform, also some of the clsids may not work in your computer. If there is any case, I am sure, you can make changes to this software. But for novice, try using the options called Control Panel or Recycle Bin, if it is other than Windows XP or later. I think you can definately find this software handy.

If you want more help on clsid or this software, you can look at my blog at http://windowstricks.spaces.live.com, or feel free to write me at abhishek.sur@gmail.com or abhi2434@yahoo.com. Thank you.

History

UPDATE 1 : This is my first update. Hoping for positive replies to this article. I need your appreciation friends. Also let me know if the software is bug free or not.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

UPDATE PROJECT LINKS :

Download coolcode_src.zip - 56.1 KB

Download coolcode_demo.zip - 427.3 KB

UPDATE 2:
In this update, I have made some changes to the installer. Check out.
UPDATE PROJECT LINKS :
Download coolcode_demo1.zip - 427.3 KB

UPDATE 3:In this update I have added the context menu part of the installer, so that one may click on the context menu of windows shell to choose a folder.
UPDATE PROJECT LINKS :
Download coolcode_demo2.zip - 470.9 KB

Download coolcode_src1.zip - 56.1 KB

UPDATE 4:

In this update, I have modified the project so that some of the bugs of my early release could be removed. Now you can dynamically choose any folder from your harddrive and the software will ask for passwords.

UPDATE PROJECT LINKS :

Download coolcode_src3.zip - 55.6 KB

Download coolcode_demo3.zip - 471.8 KB

Please respond me how you see my article. Future modification is due.

Thanks for Reading.

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It seems nice ranjan_namitaputra 12:09 2 Oct '09   I have been reading this. But the only problem, you need to add some encryption algorithm to this to enhance the folder protection upto a certain extent. Its good to see this, and will use it until then. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Unsatisfied Shri_C 22:24 13 Sep '09   this Folder Protection works fine, but anybody can delete the encrypted folder. the folder can be unlock using REN command in dos(REN myfolder.{2559a1f2-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0} myfolder). So this application is not upto the mark. will u please tell some advance technique which restrict folder from deleting and renaming. Thanks. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Unsatisfied Abhishek Sur 22:38 13 Sep '09   yes.. I know.. I think it is better to use compression algo to compress each folder and encrypt it. That whould be a better idea I guess. Abhishek Sur My Latest Articles Create CLR objects in SQL Server 2005 C# Uncommon Keywords Read/Write Excel using OleDB Don't forget to click "Good Answer" if you like to. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink lock folder project ottilia 7:53 9 Sep '09   did not work Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Good Concept - Bad Implementation sans sans sans 5:13 28 Aug '09   You concept is good. I appreciate that. But the way it is implemented is really poor. We have different options to lock a folder; using cls id and renaming is really poor. Anyways, taking your implementation I think it will work if you register a dummy exe which does nothing and assign that clsid instead of trying different ids will be a good quick fix for this You also need some exception management Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink how to completely invisible a folder? khoirom 16:51 13 Jul '09   Is there any ways to hide a folder? Any help would be appreciated. Pham Nhu Chung Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.00/5 (1 vote) ??? ehtesham01570 12:58 22 Jun '09   Why so much funda for renaming a folder?and it provides no security over this as you can rename the folder(which u say u have locked) and can access it,instead you can use system.security.accesscontrol to lock any file or folder? Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.00/5 (1 vote) Re: ??? Abhishek Sur 0:04 24 Jun '09   for nothing ... This is not related with ACLs or User profiles... Those are known to most of us. I think the best wayout would be to encrypt the content.. Anyway this is just a trick, not a kind of funda... Abhishek Sur My Latest Articles Working with Excel using MDAC Basics on LINQ and Lambda Expressions Create .NET Templates Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Thanks sonia.sardana 23:35 8 Jun '09   I dont know about other locking such as brower,Recycle & s on.But Folder Locking is working 100% Correctly..Thx vry much for such a grt article. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Thanks Abhishek Sur 13:54 10 Jun '09   Thanks ... Abhishek Sur My Latest Articles Working with Excel using MDAC Basics on LINQ and Lambda Expressions Create .NET Templates Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Thanks DineshSIS 0:36 19 Jun '09   Its not working for me. the folder has its icon changed but i was able to open folder and view al the contents without having to provide any pwd. DO i have to make any registry entry. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink A Bug hmnmsd 7:04 28 Nov '08   Dear Abhishek when I tried to lock a folder that a text file was open from the folder, this exception Appeared : "System.IO.IOException: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process." Is there a way to determine a file is open or not. especially text files, Some people suggested using this method File.OpenRead() but this does not work for text files. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: A Bug Abhishek Sur 21:39 9 Dec '08   I think the problem is, some of the files inside the folder is opened, when you are locking the folder. Private Sub AddDirectorySecurity(ByVal FileName As String, ByVal Account As String, ByVal Rights As FileSystemRights, ByVal ControlType As AccessControlType) ' Create a new DirectoryInfoobject. Dim dInfo As New DirectoryInfo(FileName) Dim iFlag As InheritanceFlags = InheritanceFlags.ContainerInherit Dim pPropogate As PropagationFlags = PropagationFlags.InheritOnly ' Get a DirectorySecurity object that represents the ' current security settings. Dim dSecurity As DirectorySecurity = dInfo.GetAccessControl() ' Add the FileSystemAccessRule to the security settings. dSecurity.AddAccessRule(New FileSystemAccessRule(Account, Rights, iFlag, pPropogate, ControlType)) ' Set the new access settings. dInfo.SetAccessControl(dSecurity) End Sub Now you can call it using AddDirectorySecurity(DirectoryName, "Everyone", FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow) AddDirectorySecurity(DirectoryName, "Users", FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow) AddDirectorySecurity(DirectoryName, "SYSTEM", FileSystemRights.FullControl, AccessControlType.Allow) You can use this to assign Access control to the directory before doing the folder rename. As this article is just for demo, I have not included those code which is not required as such for the article. But if you use this software personally, you must have these. I will update this software to include all these bug fixes later. Thanks for your concern. Abhishek Sur Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink It is not working [modified] prasadtalla 2:53 15 May '08   Hi Abhi I tried but is generating password for Window Lock. But when i open that folder I am able to open that folder. But it will not .. modified on Friday, May 16, 2008 1:10 AM Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 (1 vote) Re: It is not working Abhishek sur 10:20 17 May '08   Please let me know how are you doing so.. Actually Win Lock is not a GUID, its an already registered Clsid, so you cant generate win lock by yourself. What you can do, is that you can register your own GUID to the com classes so that it could be treated differrently while we click on a file with that class id. Abhishek Sur Web Developer Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 (1 vote) Re: It is not working prasadtalla 22:23 18 May '08   Hi Abhi thanks for your reply. Now I am able to lock the folder. After that I Changed my folder name through dos. Then I am able to see the data properly. How I can restrict this folder rename. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: It is not working Abhishek sur 0:36 18 Jun '08   Actually the process of lock here is entirely depends on the Folder Rename. Well, if you want to make your folder inaccessible, then you must encript the content to a file. . You may also use Compression algorighms .. to lock your folder... Abhishek Sur Web Developer Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink There is no source code for shell integration Member 4036892 19:47 19 Mar '08   There is no source code for shell integration Pls add it...... Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 4.00/5 (2 votes) Re: There is no source code for shell integration Abhishek sur 22:13 19 Mar '08   well... Actually I have made this code available to you .. but its so tricky, you may have overlook on this.. look at the program.CS.. I have received String arguments from outside. Actually shell sends arguments based on some registry values.. the first argument comes from %1 that I have made on Registry, see the picture below that Class... That means, if you want to receive the entire path that the user clicks, you could get from %1... Thanks... I think you got it right... Abhishek Sur Web Developer Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: This is simply sick ring_0 23:02 2 Jan '08   Do you trust this piece of code by yourself? For me it is just full of sh!t. Man having 1 bit brain with parity error Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.25/5 (3 votes) Re: This is simply sick Abhishek sur 23:34 2 Jan '08   well, thanks for your reply.. If you think this is a sh*t, then please let me know any other tricks which you think I should have replaced with.... Thanks... Abhishek Sur Web Developer Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink ... b4ckd00r1 9:37 22 Oct '07   ok i got it Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 5.00/5 (1 vote) ... b4ckd00r1 9:34 22 Oct '07   would there be also another possibility?? how have i to rename the folder?maybe like this: rename Eigene Dateien.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} backup ?? i don't know how... i would loveit, if u could make an example for me, please Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 5.00/5 (1 vote) Re: ... Abhishek sur 21:03 22 Oct '07   well, just open up command from start-->Run go to the folder ... say its "c:\aa" just cd c:\ then under C:\ type... c:\>ren aa.{21E* aa It will rename the protected folder with the original... ok... I think you have got it... Abhishek Sur Web Developer Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink folder lost b4ckd00r1 3:30 17 Oct '07   i testet your programm but i lost my personal folder and i can't find it :@ what can i do? i need this files Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.86/5 (5 votes)

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