Application Scope: Security > PC Security

print this document

File Encryption

An effective way to protect the confidential data on your personal computer is to encrypt the files so that nobody else can read the encrypted files. Windows 2000 and Windows XP Pro Edition allow you to encrypt your files The encrypted files won't be readable if someone takes the files to open on another computer, or even the the hard disk is stolen and placed into another PC.

To encrypt a file or folder,

  1. Open Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the file or folder that you want to encrypt, and then click Properties.
  3. On the General tab, click Advanced.
  4. Select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.
  5. Files and folders encryption will appear green.


Notes:

  • Your computer should have user login requirements. If anyone can use your computer like you do, there's no sense for the encryption.
  • You can only encrypt files and folders on NTFS file system volumes.
  • If you don't know where to find Windows Explorer, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and you should be able to find Windows Explorer there.
  • Files or folders that are compressed cannot also be encrypted. If you encrypt a compressed file or folder, that file or folder will be uncompressed.
  • Files marked with the System attribute cannot be encrypted.
  • When you encrypt a single file, you are asked if you want to encrypt the folder that contains it as well. If you choose to do so, all files and subfolders that are added to the folder in the future will be encrypted when they are added.
  • When you encrypt a folder, you are asked if you want all files and subfolders within the folder to be encrypted as well. If you choose to do so, all files and subfolders currently in the folder are encrypted, as well as any files and subfolders that are added to the folder in the future. If you choose to encrypt the folder only, all files and subfolders currently in the folder are not encrypted. However, any files and subfolders that are added to the folder in the future are encrypted when they are added.
  • An encrypted file or folder is decrypted if you copy it to a volume that is not an NTFS file system volume.

Authors: DSU Web Support Team. Page last updated on 08/01/2005