Context Menu - Add Encrypt and Decrypt

INFO: This will add Encrypt and Decrypt to the context menu (right click). It will allow you to encrypt or decrypt a file or folder by simply right clicking the item and selecting Encrypt or Decrypt. You will no longer have to go through the Advanced Properties of the file or folder to do it. The Encrypt feature is only available in the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions.

NOTE: If the file or folder is not already encrypted, you will see Encrypt when you right click. If the file or folder is already encrypted, then you will see Decrypt when you right click.

CAUTION: If you add encrypted files to a compressed (zipped) folder, the files will be unencrypted (decrypted) when extracted, which might result in unintentional disclosure of personal or sensitive information. For that reason, you should avoid compressing encrypted files. If you create a shortcut from the encrypted file, it will not be encrypted until you do it.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Expand the Context (Shortcuts) Menu in Vista

2. How to Customize the Context Menu for the Start Menu in Vista

3. How to Customize the Send To Context Menu in Vista

4. How to Customize the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista

5. How to Add COPY TO FOLDER and MOVE TO FOLDER to the Context Menu in Vista

6. How to Encrypt or Decrypt a Folder or File in Vista

7. How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in Vista

8. How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista

9. How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1

10. How to Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu in Vista

11. How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista

12. How to Enable or Disable the Context Menu in Vista

13. How to Remove or Show Drive Letters in the Vista Send To Context Menu

14. How to Add View and Print File Directory to the Context Menu in Vista

15. How to Add or Remove Copy as Path from the Vista Context Menu

16. How to Add or Remove Send To from the Vista Context Menu

17. How to Add or Remove Turn Aero On or Off from the Vista Context Menu

18. How to Add System Properties to Computer Context Menu in Vista


EXAMPLE: Context Menu after Adding Encrypt and Decrypt
NOTE: Only one will appear in the context menu at a time depending on if the file or folder is encrypted or not.
Encrypt.jpgDecrypt.jpg


OPTION ONE:
Through a Download:

1. To Add Encrypt and Decrypt -
A) Add_Encrypt-Decrypt.reg < CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

2. To Remove Encrypt and Decrypt -
A) Remove_Encrypt-Decrypt.reg < CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Delete the .reg file (On Desktop).


OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click Continue button for UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

5. In the right pane, right click on a empty space and click New and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Advanced_Key.jpg

6. Type EncryptionContextMenu and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
7. Right click EncryptionContextMenu and click Modify.

EncryptionContextMenu.jpg

8. To Add Encrypt and Decrypt -
A) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

9. To Remove Encrypt and Decrypt -
A) Type 0 (number zero) and click OK.

Modify.jpg

10. Close regedit.


That's it,
Shawn