im running vista and need to create some password protected files. How do i do this please?

It depends on what the file it is, some programs allow you to create a password when you save them like word/excel.

The other alternative is to create a zip/rar file which is password protected.

You could create folders for certain user with permission on them etc.

All the above can be cracked, if you used the right tools.

HTH

Lots of stuff available easiest way is to use software that creates an encrpted container file on the hard disk that the vista can mount as a virtual hard disk after you give the password.

True crypt will do this http://www.truecrypt.org/
also the paid for commercial version of PGP..

For many more see http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/encryption.shtml#otfe

Yes- very much depends on what level of security you need and what kind of files you want to encrypt.

could always zip it up and add a password - that way is protected and can do for any file format )