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How do I encrypt / password protect files in Windows?

I read your explanation of how to password protect individual files or folders on a Mac (see How to encrypt folders on your Mac), but is there a way to do that easily in Windows? Thanks!


Dave's Answer:

This seemed like an easy enough query, so I popped into Window XP Help and typed in "encrypt", just to find lots of information on the Encrypted File System (EFS) but nothing else of value to a typical Windows user. EFS looks interesting, but it's not at all what you're talking about: in fact, it's a completely invisible encryption system that only matters if your files are copied onto a different computer. Not useful.

I then popped over to a favorite Windows software site, download.com, and started searching there. Lots and lots of solutions, but precious little that was freeware. If I wanted to spend $39.99 or higher, there were solutions, but jeez, I just wanted to password protect a file or two.

A few people suggested that PGP would be a good alternative, as an open source encryption standard, but while there are plenty of free PGP apps for Linux and Unix systems, the only desktop Windows app I could find was a commercial program with a 30-day trial. Still not quite right.

I thought about the problem obliquely and realized that one simple solution would be to use a ZIP or other archive program and simply assign a password to the archive. Again, it's not easy to find a free, open source archive program that was available for Windows, but after much digging, I did find a winner, an open source archiver called PeaZIP.

I downloaded the application, installed it and during the installation process, came across this screen:

winxp peazip installer 6

This lets you add PeaZIP features to your Send To contextual menu, including the one we want: "+ Encrypt". I checked it off, as you can see, and continued with the installation.

Finally, I can encrypt my test file, a PDF called "Annual Report", by simply popping up the contextual menu (right-click on the desktop icon) and choosing Send To --> + Encrypt:

winxp peazip send to menu

It pops up a window that asks for a passphrase / password, exactly as I'd hope:

winxp peazip enter passphrase

Once it's done encrypting (and, conveniently, compressing it too), you'll see this:

winxp peazip encrypted

On your desktop are now two versions of your file (or files), the original unprotected and the encrypted archive, as you can see on the left here:

winxp peazip decrypt

I launched the above window by simply double-clicking on the encrypted file. Decrypting / unscrambling the file is easy: just click on "Extract All" and...

winxp peazip enter passphrase decrypt

Enter the same password as you used to encrypt it (hint: use a short sentence!) and you should see:

winxp peazip decrypted

Done! Now your file is back to its original state and neatly tucked into a folder.

To use this, I suggest that you encrypt the original file, then drag it to your trashcan and delete it. It's still recoverable with an undelete application, but for a casual user, the original has vanished and the encrypted copy is all that's visible.

Hope this helps you out!


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Categorized: Windows PC Help   (Article 8723, Written by )
Tagged: crypt, encrypt, encryption, encypher, microsoft windows, password protect, security, windows xp, winzip
Previous: How can I burn a music CD from iTunes?
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Reader Comments To Date: 6

bobby said, on January 26, 2009 12:25 PM:

Seven-zip is also very nice.

n-wata said, on January 27, 2009 1:42 AM:

Nice, I use PeaZip too! I like it features encryption for various file types: pea, 7z, arc and zip.
BTW, to delete the original file you can use secure deletion feature of the same program: + Wipe file(s) in the screenshots (renamed "Secure file deletion" in last release)

shawn said, on January 27, 2009 4:25 PM:

Recent microsoft operating systems have built in features for encrypting/password-protecting files.
Please check:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000705.htm
for a detailed discussion

David said, on February 11, 2009 12:20 PM:

I've found that Truecrypt is the best Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux. Website is http://www.truecrypt.org/

Ankit said, on July 4, 2009 10:29 AM:

Hi,

Nice post. There is also a way where in you can encrypt folders as well. I found it on this site:
http://dummy-essentials.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-encrypt-folders.html

Hammad said, on September 26, 2009 3:26 AM:

great work dave...i was looking for this one...thanks alot

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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