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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
If you are concerned about other users of your system having access to your files, there has been a simple way to encrypt files and folders in every version of Windows since XP called Encrypted File Service (EFS). We will show you how to apply EFS to your files and folders.
NOTE: Files and folders you encrypt using EFS can only be decrypted using the Windows login that encrypted the file. Other users on the system will be able to see the files but will not be able to open them, even if they are running as administrator. That means that you also need to be careful you do not forget your login, or you will be locked out of your own files.
To encrypt a folder or a file, open File Explorer by clicking the File Explorer icon on the Taskbar if you are on the Desktop.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
If you are on the Start screen, start typing “explorer” (without the quotes). The Search box displays and starts to list matches as you type. Click File Explorer in the list of results.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
On the General tab on the Properties dialog box, click the Advanced in the Attributes section.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
On the Advanced Attributes dialog box, select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box and click OK.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
The Confirm Attribute Changes dialog box displays. If you’re encrypting a folder, you are asked if you want to encrypt only the folder or the folder and all subfolders and files. Select the desired option and click OK. The Properties dialog box also closes.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
The folder, or file, you encrypted displays in green text now. If you encrypted a folder and all its subfolders and files, any folders and files inside the main folder are also encrypted and displayed in green. Any files or folders you create in the main folder in the future are also encrypted.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
You will also see a popup in the Notification Area on the Taskbar recommending that you backup your encryption key in case the original one is lost or corrupted. Click this popup to backup the key.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
NOTE: If the popup message above disappeared before you could click it, click the Notification Area arrow and click the Encrypting File System icon.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
Click Next on the first screen of the Certificate Export Wizard.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
Accept the default selection for the file format for the exported encryption certificate and key and click Next.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
Select the Password check box and enter a strong password in the Password edit box and again in the Confirm password edit box. Click Next.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
On the File to Export screen, click Browse.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
Navigate to the location where you want to save the encryption certificate and key file. You can save it on the hard drive initially, but be sure to move it to an external drive, such as a USB flash drive. Click Save.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
The path to your file is entered in the File name edit box. Click Next.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
A summary of your chosen settings displays on the final screen. Click Finish.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
A dialog box displays saying the export was successful. Click OK to close it.
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| How To Encrypt Files And Folders in Windows 8.1 By Using EFS |
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