I know in linux you can add .htaccess password protection to the admin and mod control panel, but how do you protect your dirs on windows?

I think you could also add .htaccess if you use apache on windows?

Assuming you are using IIS there are some addons to IIS to facilitate what you want :) look at sitepoint.com for some help.

I advice vBulletin, :P it's a really nice bulletin board that is mostly 'unknown' by people. You can buy it from www.vbulletin.com :P

Assuming you are using IIS there are some addons to IIS to facilitate what you want :) look at sitepoint.com for some help.
Even with Apache on windows I don't think you can apply the .htacces. But I am not sure. I think what Zachery suggested is a good alternative.

*cough: why use windows as web server anyway?*

Using IIS open IIS manager and navigate in left pane to the directory you want to protect. Right click it and select properties. Click the security tab and select edit security and access restrictions. Uncheck allow anonymous access and check, at the bottom, use windows authentication. After doing so when someone browses to the dir via the web n authentication box will popup for username and password. All users that have an account on the box will get access with the login and pw they use on the box. To add more accounts use the add account wizard.