Permissions can be set in XP Home, but must be done after booting the computer into Safe Mode and using the built-in Administrator account.

XP Home: By default, you can only make files and folders under My Documents "private". This is done by right clicking a folder or file and selecting Properties, Sharing. To change the permissions on other folders, you need to boot the computer to Safe Mode and log in on the built in Administrator account. In this mode, you'll see the Security tab in Properties, and you can assign permissions based on user name or group membership.

How Do I Get the Security Tab in Properties - XP Home (makes the Security tab appear outside of Safe Mode)
http://www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips section

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308418

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;308419

HOW TO: Disable Simplified Sharing and Password-Protect a Shared Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307874


--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"News Reader" <stealth@null.net> wrote in message news:uDQMSt0zFHA.2312@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Windows XP Pro can set file and folder permissions per user. Windows XP Home
> doesn't allow that. So if you have later one, upgrade to WXP Pro. I don't
> understand why Microsoft wanted home user not to be able to set file
> permissions. Many parents have children and setting permissions would be
> great tool to minimize damages. But perhaps Microsoft just wanted to make
> more money...
>
> Nico
>
> "Oh_Danny_Boy" <Oh_Danny_Boy@discussions.microsoft.com.> wrote in message
> news:53FA712F-7540-4457-BE67-01509EFEF256@microsoft.com...
>> Hi, I have winxp pro sp2. I have set up several acounts on my PC I have
>> the
>> Admin. then My acount, then I have 3 non admin acounts for children. My
>> problem is I have gone to the non-admin acounts to see what I can and can
>> not
>> do, and I need to know is there a way to close all the files off from
>> these
>> acounts? I noticed they can get into all the Program files, and windows
>> file
>> folder and so on. I would like to keep them out of there just because
>> anything can happen especialy in the windows folder.
>> Any hints as to how to close them off?
>> --
>> Thank Ya Kindly,
>> Danny
>
>