How to encrypt or encrypt files or folders in Windows 10? step by step guide

To start, security and privacy These are two increasingly fundamental parameters for all users who turn on their computers every day. Since the hard drive of this useful device saves a large amount of personal and sensitive informationso it is very important to keep these documents safe so they cannot fall into the hands of any stranger or malicious person.

On the other hand, to protect our computer folders there are different third-party applications but if you use Windows 10this operating system has an appropriate function for encrypt your files and folders without installations. In this way, you do not need to use third-party applications, as mentioned, so it will be enough to make a few simple clicks and you will immediately protect those documents that you want to protect of strangers.

Also, when you encrypt a file or folder, it is possible specify which users can see your content. Thus, for the rest of the people, these documents will be adulterated and they will not be able to open them in any way. It should be noted that the basic versions of Windows, that is, Home, Basic, Single License and Start, do not include encryption functions. But if you are a user of Windows 10then you will know the different methods that exist to carry out a convenient file encryption.

Steps to encrypt and protect files or folders in Windows 10

Surely the fastest way to code Y to protect records either folders of a device with operating system Windows 10it is using its own encryption function which is known as SAI O well “Encrypted File Service”. This function is very simple and will provide excellent protection for all your files. The best thing about it is that it is done in a few Few minutes with tan just a few clicks.

You must bear in mind that the documents encrypted using the EFS mechanism they are completely related to the user account with which they are created. Thus, other user accounts, even if they have administrator permissions, they will not be able to access said content. So you should make sure keep your password safe because otherwise, the file will be locked forever.

Added to it, an encrypted file or folder cannot be read on another PC, whether copied, mailed, etc.; this action is not allowed. That way, if you decide to switch users or reinstall Windows, you you will have problems accessing the encrypted document.

In this sense, we are going to begin to detail the steps that you must carry out:

1 – Locate the folder or file you want to encrypt

Once you find it, click on it. right button mouse over it.

2 – Choose “Properties”

When you find yourself in the drop-down menu, select the option of “Properties“. In case they are various documentsin the same way you can do it by choosing all the files and pressing the keys “Alt + Enter” of your keyboard. This action will open the combined properties of all the chosen files or folders.

3 – Go to the “Advanced” option

The general tab shows you frequently used information such as the file’s size and creation date. At first glance the boxes are located to mark a file as “Hidden” or from “Read only”, and in the case of the encryption box, this is hidden. In order to see it, you must click on the “advanced”.

4 – Encrypt content to protect data

When entering the advanced options, you will already be able to see the box “Encrypt content to protect data”, which you must activate to securely encrypt the desired document.

Now, if this option does not appear, (you may have a basic version of Windows) and therefore does not have this support. You may install and update your version of Windows 10 to have these options.

5 – Encrypt the document and/or the folder that contains it

To conclude the process, after pressing “To accept” in the previous window, you will most likely see a window like this. There it is explained that having an encrypted file in an unencrypted folder can cause other people to access your content through temporary files created by different editing programs such as Word or Photoshop, for example.

Indeed, it is up to you if you want encrypt only the document or if what you want is also do it with the folder that contains it.

Thus, with these five simple steps, you will have totally secure and private documents. Consequently, you will ask who can see this password protected file and you should know that they are by default visible to the user who has protected them. which ultimately refers to your windows 10 user.

That way, you can see that the document adds a padlock icon in its preview, but otherwise you can access the file without any problem in the application of your choice.

However, if you copy the same document to another computer, you will also see the padlock iconon the other hand, preview not showing. So there it is not permissible to access the content with any application and can’t figure it out either.

Why is it so important to encrypt documents in Windows and what risks exist?

While it is true, document encryption refers to a process by which you make certain information unreadable. In this way, said information can only be seen if a key is previously applied to it, which, of course, must be known and saved by the person carrying out the process. Namely, You will only have access through a password or code.

Now, encrypting documents in Windows is extremely important and since Windows 10 makes it easy to do, Why not make use of this beneficial tool?

A key example is when your laptop has been stolen. How do you deal with a situation? dangerous and even more so if the device is full of important files with personal or work information. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to have some way to block it to prevent the thief from accessing sensitive data. It doesn’t matter if this guy resells it, it’s worth encrypting your documents just in case.

In the case of businesses and corporations, Document encryption is also fundamental, since all the files that are handled there are mostly from confidential type. This is applicable if you own a business that operates physically using a internet among their workers. In addition, it is usually important if it is an Internet-based network because there will be many databases that will be in the cloud all the time and of course require extensive protection.

In reference to the risks presenting these actions, it should be noted that this action reduces the risk but does not completely eliminate it. Also, it is an illegal action in some countries, so if you decide to download, install or use programs to encrypt documents, this would be a crime in itself. With which police and intelligence services they could initiate an arduous investigation of those groups from whom you are seeking to protect information. Coming to accuse you even of criminal activity or espionage.

List of most used programs to encrypt documents in Windows 10

It is also possible to use a non-native windows program to encrypt documents on the computer. Thus, we recommend the following that are totally free and of Open Source:

• AES Crypto– Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and Linux.
• AxCrypt: Writes the information in a text file, uses the program to encrypt it, attaches the encrypted document to the e-mail and asks the recipient to install the same program. Then it’s just sending the key you used to it.
• DiskCryptor: It has a light interface, the program makes the encryption service very simple. One detail is that this can only be done with existing disks, not having the option to create new ones. The DislCryptor uses top of the line algorithms, such as AES, Twofish and Serpent.
• BitLocker: Protect the entire unit. This is a very simple and fast method, as it protects all the files on a drive in just an instant. Also, it is a safer method than SAI.
• 7-Zip: Alternative known as file compactor. So in the same way that you run document compaction, you can also encrypt it. blocking so the file with password.
• gpg4win: Employed as the center of your system, the software is a graphical interface to the GnuPGwhich uses the encryption algorithm: OpenPGP. It was not made to run easily, but as a tool it is very versatile. You can encrypt your data in the HD, data in the cloud, your e-mails and other information of interest.