Tuesday, 18 July 2006

Microsoft Withdraws Private Folder 1.0

Microsoft has withdrawn its new Private Folder 1.0 only weeks after it was released as a free utility as one of its Windows Genuine Advantage special offers. The folder was designed to hide data from the hard drive in addition to protecting it with a password.

Unveiled on July 6, the software could be used to create a secure, encrypted 'My Documents' folder to which only the local end user would have access.

Following criticisms from network administrators, who feared users would lose their password and not be able to unlock their files, Microsoft has removed the Private Folder software from its downloads section.

Microsoft said that it is removing the software based on feedback about concerns around manageability, data recovery and encryption. The company has no plans to remodify and launch the software in future.