Windows 10: Cipher Program - Need to understand what I just did

I was reading an article that stated that Windows has a built-in tool called Cipher to delete files. Being curious, I typed "cipher" into my search on the lower right hand corner and executed the program, thinking that I would be prompted for more particulars. Instead, Cipher ran quickly and then stopped. I saw the command lines show briefly and then nothing.

I panicked, thinking that I might have deleted all my files. After quick look of my C drive (SSD) and my other two physical drives, I think I am okay. The drives seem to be as full as they were before. I don't have Bitlocker engaged.

When I ran Cipher, there were no parameters or arguments passed along. What exactly did I just do?

:)

 

Encrypt a folder with Cipher

Hi Comdervids,

I’m Independent Advisor willing to help you. I would suggest to enclose the folder's name in quotations and use backslashes instead of forward-slashes like this:

cipher /E C:\Desktop\Derek's things

Or cipher /E C:\Desktop\"Derek's things"

Or cipher /E "C:\Desktop\Derek's things"

Best Regards,

Angel.

 

Can anyone solve this cipher?

That doesn't seem credible to me. In the solve 408-cipher (mailed July 31, 1969), he used all of those characters ( L, backwards L, <, >) and they weren't directions inside the cipher, they were simply cipher characters. That's not to say he couldn't have changed it up but if you look at what he proposes, it doesn't really make any sense either. The 408-cipher had very few typos in it. It was in coherent sentences.

What's unique about the above cipher is that, not long after he had the 340-cipher published (mailed Nov. 8, 1969), he published this (mailed April 20, 1970):
"My Name Is..." Letter

He calls himself "zodiac," he clearly wants people to solve the 340-cipher, and I believe he gave his name using the same cipher to help decipher it (clearly the intent of the text leading up to the 13-cipher). The problem is, those circled 8's don't appear in the 340-cipher. They are unique to the 13-cipher. I reason that this was deliberate. Coincidentally:
Code: AEN+8K8M8tNAM _Z_O_D_I_A_C_[/quote] It fits like a glove and dodges all of the characters that are not in the 340-cipher. What that suggests to me is that every even index of character is junk data hiding the message. The non-junk data is what is posted above. Unlike the 408-cipher, it isn't just a little random, it is extremely random. That's what made me post this. I doubt I can solve it beyond the initial riddle. The more eyes looking at it the better.

 

Why did the startup window get cleared?

I didn't missed any step, the list was gone and gone , even after using lot of programs the programs were not listed in that list.