What happens exactly when I add a password to a Windows XP account?

[spiderplant0]

If I add a password to my account, what does this mean in terms of security?

I.e. does it mean no one can ever see any of my files, browsing history etc?

And is it all encrypted or are folders just hidden?

Are there different levels of accounts that hase some bearing on this?

If someone were to boot up in safe mode or some othere way, can they by-pass any of this?

Also, can I set things up so no one else can use the PC at all?

Thanks.

[Gandalph]

By adding a password you will have to enter it upon Boot-up before Windows will open. That being the case no-one else should be able to open up the machine.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

But if someone took out your disk, or booted with a Linux disk, all your folders and files would still be unprotected.

[bludgard]

Better yet to password protect the hard drive. HDD will be inaccessible unless PW it entered. Unless the internal controller is changed out the only other option is to replace the HDD if PW is forgotten.