Storing files in private folders

Private folders are secure folders where you can store confidential files. When you place files into a private folder, ACDSee 12 moves them from their current location into the private folder. Private folders are password-protected and the files in them can only be viewed in ACDSee 12.

When you add files or folders to a private folder all information related to them is permanently removed from the database. Restoring files and folders from a private folder does not restore information to the database. The only way you can preserve database information related to the files or folders is to back up or export the database before you add them to a private folder.

To open the Private Folder pane:

In Manage mode, click View | Private Folder.

To create a private folder:

1. Close any open private folders.
2. Right-click the private folder icon in the Private Folder pane and select Create Private Folder.
3. In the Enter Password text box, type a password for the private folder. Your password must be less than 40 characters long.
4. In the Re-enter Password text box, type the password again to verify it.
5. Click OK.

A new folder will not display in the Private Folder pane. Private folders are hidden and are only identified by their password. When you have a private folder open you will see any subfolders that exist within the private folder, but do not confuse these subfolders with the private folder itself.

To open a private folder:

1. Close any open private folders.
2. Click the Open button in the Private Folder pane header.
3. In the Enter Password text box, type the password of the private folder that you want to open.
4. Click OK.

The contents of an open private folder remain visible until you close it. Remember to close your private folder if you have to step away from your computer and do not want anyone to see its contents.

To close a private folder:

Do one of the following:

• Click the Close button in the Private Folder pane header.
• Click File | Exit to exit ACDSee 12. The private folder is closed automatically.

To add files to a private folder:

1. Open the private folder to which you want to add files.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click and drag the files onto the private folder icon in the Private Folder pane.
   • Select the files, right-click one of the selected files, and then select Add to Private Folder.

   • A warning message displays.

3. Click Yes to move the files to the private folder.

When you add files and folders to a private folder they are removed from their original location in the file system and added to the password-protected private folder. There is no way to recover files and folders from a private folder if you have forgotten your password. Ensure that you choose a password that you will be able to remember.

To add an existing folder and its contents to a private folder:

1. Open the private folder to which you want to add files.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click and drag the folder onto the private folder icon in the Private Folder pane.
   • Select the files, right-click one of the selected files, and then select Add to Private Folder.

   • A warning message displays.

3. Click Yes to move the folder and its contents to the private folder.

To restore folders and files from a private folder:

1. Open the private folder containing the folders or files that you want to restore.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Select the folders or files and click File | Restore from Private Folder.
   • Right-click the folders or files and select Restore from Private Folder.
3. Click the browse button, navigate to the folder where you would like to move the folders or files, and then click OK.
4. Click OK.

5. ACDSee 12 moves the folders or files from the private folder to the selected location. These folders and files are now visible to anyone with access to the computer.

To delete a private folder, or the folders or files in the private folder:

1. Open the private folder containing the folders or files that you want to delete.
2. Do one of the following:
   • To delete the private folder, right-click the private folder icon and select Delete.
   • To delete folders or files in a private folder, right-click them and select Delete.

   • A warning message displays.

3. Click Yes to delete the private folder and all of its contents, or the selected folders or files in the private folder.

Use caution when deleting folders or files in private folders. If you delete folders or files in private folders they are permanently destroyed. Restore the folders and files if you want to move them from the private folder to a non-secure location on your computer.

Storing files in private folders