Here’s a tutorial that anyone who values privacy and protection of data in files and folders on Windows 10 PC desktop, laptop or tablet would find really helpful. See best ways to encrypt file / folder in Windows 10 running devices.
Encrypting files and folders keeps them save from hacking attempts, surveillance, and unauthorized access. Here is a guide on How to Encrypt Files & Folders in Windows 10 computer, laptop or tablet. Encryption makes your data files save so that its only you who can access them. Microsoft kept files and folder encryption mechanism same as was in the previous Windows versions. If you don’t know about those methods, then keep on reading as we are going to show you best ways to encrypt file or folder in Windows 10 device in simplest possible terms so that everyone can follow them without any issue.
Encrypt Files & Folders in Windows 10 [The Best Ways]
There are many useful software and built-in tools in Windows 10 for helping users to encrypt files or folders to ensure data privacy and protection against hacking attempts. We are going to discuss best ways to encrypt data in Windows 10 devices.
Encrypted File Service
The first and perhaps the best and the most effective way of ensuring data protection and privacy by encrypting files and folders involves using built-in encryption tool in Windows 10 dubbed Encrypted File Service (EFS). This extremely effective encryption tool hardly takes a few minutes to encrypt files and folders.
In the steps below, see how to use Encrypted File Service to protect data saved in files and folders on Windows 10 PC, laptop or tablet. But before starting using EFS to encrypt files/folders in Windows 10 do note that you will be able to access encrypted files and folders only with the account you used to encrypt those files. No other account will be able to gain access to encrypted data. Therefore, it’s important that you note down username and password of the account which you are going to use for encrypting files or folders in Windows 10.
Here are the steps to encrypt files and folders in Windows 10:
1 – Right-click on the file or folder which you want to encrypt and select Properties from the Context menu
2 – In Properties, click on the General tab and then click on the Advanced button.
3 – Here, under Compress or Encrypt attributes option, check the box next to the Encrypt contents to secure data option.
4 – Hit OK button and exit properties window.
5 – You can choose to apply these changes to folder, subfolders and files on the confirmation dialogue box.
6 – All done.
This will encrypt your file or folder in Windows 10, which will now be showing in freen color to indicate the changes made to its status. You can choose to apply changes to either only the main folder or include folders as well as subfolders. If you wish to apply changes to the main folder only, repeat the process above but select Apply Changes to this folder only option instead of Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files option.
Backing Up Encryption Key
It recommended that you backup encryption key somewhere save in case you can recover its details if you happen to forget it when needed. Saving and backing encryption key on another devices makes it easier to recover details when you forget them. That’s why Windows gives you an option to create a backup of encryption key right after file/folder encryption. Here’s how to backup encryption key:
1 – On the Encrypting File System box, click on the Back up your encryption key popup when prompted.
2 – Select the Back up now option.
3 – Follow on-screen instructions to complete the process.
4 – Confirm password for accessing encrypted files or folders that you wish to backup on another device.
5 – Next, choose the location where you wish to save certificate and name it.
6 – Hit next button to complete the backup process.
7 – All done.
Encrypt Files / Folders in Windows 10 Using Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is another popular way of encrypting and saving important files and folders in Windows 10. Every app in the overall Microsoft Office tool has features that allows for encrypting files and folders created using the Office suite. Here’s how to do it:
1 – Open the Microsoft Office file that you want to encrypt.
2 – Click on the File tab on the top menu.
3 – Go to Info and click on Protect Document option.
4 – Now, select Encrypt with Password option from the list of options.
5 – Next, enter the password who will use to access encrypted files and folders.
6 – Hit OK button.
7 – All done.
This will encrypt files or folders created using Microsoft Office suite. Remember the password as you will be needing it to access encrypted Office files.
Wrap Up
These were the best ways to encrypt files or folders in Windows 10 using built-in tools. There are many third-party software available for encrypting data in Windows 10 as well. You can opt to use third-party tools for encrypting files and folders in Windows 10. Advantage of using third-party tools is that they offer more options and features than built-in tools in Windows OS. You will find plenty of great third-party tools on the internet for the purpose.
So these were the best data encryption software for keeping your data, files, and folders save from unauthorized access. If you know of more methods and third-party tools for encrypting files and folders, do share in the comments section below.
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