Encrypt or Decrypt a Folder or File

INFO: Encrypting folders and files is a way to protect them from unwanted access. Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that allows you to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure. This is only for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions.

NOTE: This will also prevent other user accounts from being able to open the file or folder. Even another Administrator account. If you create a shortcut from the encrypted file, it will not be encrypted by default. The shortcut will still not be able to be read by any other user account or computer since it is linked to a encrypted file.

WARNING: If you add a encrypted file to a compressed (zipped) folder, the file will be unencrypted (decrypted) when extracted. This might result in unintentional disclosure of personal or sensitive information. For that reason, you should avoid compressing and extracting encrypted files unless you lost your EFS Certificate.
See: How to Backup the Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate in Vista

LOST the EFS CERTIFICATE: You can use the 30 day free trial program Advanced EFS Data Recovery to decrypt the files.
See: ELCOMSOFT: Advanced EFS Data Recovery

SP1 NEWS ABOUT EFS BACKUP:
See: Technet.com: What’s new with backup and Restore on Vista SP1

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Restore the Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate in Vista

2. How to Backup the Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate in Vista

3. How to Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu in Vista

4. How to Disable or Enable Encryption in Vista

5. How to Compress and Decompress a Folder or File with NTFS Compression in Vista


EXAMPLE: Folder Not Encrypted (Decrypted) and Folder Encrypted
NOTE: Notice that the text is now green to show it is encrypted.

Not_Encrypted.jpgEncrypted.jpg


Here's How:
1. Right click the folder or file you want to encrypt or decrypt, and then click Properties.
2. Under the General tab, click the Advanced button. (See screenshot below)

Properties.jpg

3. To Encrypt a File or Folder -
A) Check Encrypt contents to secure data and click OK.
(See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only be able to choose to Encrypt or Compress contents, not both at the same time.

4. To Decrypt a File or Folder -
A) Uncheck Encrypt contents to secure data and click OK.

Advanced_Attributes.jpg

5. Click OK in Properties. (See screenshot in step 2)

6. For a Folder -
A) Select if you want to apply changes only to this folder, or to this folder and all subfolders.
(See sceenshot below)
B) Click OK.
NOTE: It may take a second to encrypt or decrypt the folder and close Properties.

Confirm_Attribute_Changes.jpg

7. For a File -
A) Select if you want to encrypt just this file in the folder, or encrypt this file and it's parent folder. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not see this if the folder this file is in is already encrypted. It is always best to have the folder the file is in encrypted to for better protection.
B) Click OK.
NOTE: It may take a second to encrypt or decrypt the file and close Properties.

Encryption_Warning.jpg

C) Once a file is encrypted, the Details button will now be active in step 4 above.

To Change User Access to this File - Go back to step 4 above and click the Details button.
(See screenshot below)

User_Access.jpg

1) Add - This will allow you to add a username account that can have access to this file.
2) Remove - This will allow you to remove a username account from having access to this file.
3) Back up keys - Takes you to step 6 here:
How to Backup the Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate in Vista

8. The first time you encrypt a folder or file, you will get a notification. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not see this again after the first time you encrypt.

9. Click on the notification icon in the notification area.

Notification.jpg

10. Choose which option you want to do. (See screeshot below)
WARNING: You should back up your encryption certificate. If your certificate and key are lost or damaged and you do not have a backup, you won't be able to use the files that you have encrypted. See step 6 here: How to Backup the Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate in Vista

Backup.jpg

11. The file or folder is now Encrypted or Decrypted.


That's it,
Shawn