Hi Panache
Where are you referring to this option for private files\folders, in the properties of something or in the Users Control Panel?
There is also the option of booting into Safe Mode and logging in as either Administrator or your main account and then when you go to the properties of a file or folder, you will see a new option that isn't available in normal mode. You can restrict or allow access to something this way.
HTH,
M_M