A Windows password alone is not sufficient to password protect your computer. The Windows password is used simply to identify who is logging into a Windows computer, in order for Windows 95 or 98 to adjust the desktop settings for multiple users on the same computer. The Windows password can easily be bypassed.
In Windows 95 or 98, the best way to password protect your computer would be to create both boot and screen saver passwords. Since a screen saver password can be bypassed by restarting the computer, you also need a boot password to keep anyone from breaching your security.
By setting a boot password, you can make your computer prompt for the password every time it is restarted.
You can set the boot password in the BIOS when your
computer is starting up. Usually the computer tells you when you can enter the
BIOS (press Del to enter setup). The BIOS is different for
different computers. If you check the documentation for your computer, it should
tell you how to set a password. Or, if you feel comfortable exploring your BIOS,
simply enter setup and look for a security or boot option.
Note: Be careful when searching! Changes made to the BIOS
can affect your entire computer. If you make a change that you are unsure of,
choose the Exit without saving changes option.
This will undo any changes that you have made to the BIOS in a single session.
After you have set the boot password, choose the option to save changes and exit. This will restart your computer and ask you for a password every time you boot your computer and every time you re-enter the BIOS.
Be sure to remember this password. If you forget your password, it is extremely difficult to reset.
Since the new boot password gives no protection once the computer is turned on and the password has been entered, anyone can access your computer after it boots, unless you use a screen saver password in addition to a boot password.
A screen saver password will prevent others from accessing your computer while you are away. This process is described in the Knowledge Base document In Microsoft Windows, how do I modify the screen saver settings? When you set this password, you may also want to set the delay to a short time interval. This will turn on your screen saver after the specified time delay and ask for a password in order to exit the screen saver. This is the best way to password protect your computer if you want to leave it on and be gone for a period of time.
Note: This password can be bypassed by restarting the computer.
If the above options do not provide enough security for you, download Security Administrator for Windows. Security Administrator provides much more security than standard ways in Windows 95 or 98.
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