Windows 10: Encrypting or Decryption Files or Folders From Context Menu

NOTE: This discussion applies to users of Windows 10 Pro only!


By default, in any window of File Explorer, you can encrypt or decrypt a file or folder by right-clicking it, clicking Properties, and then clicking Advanced. However, it is easy to encrypt or decrypt from a context menu without accessing the file or folder properties as usual.


WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-

wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 10 to correct

them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the

use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.


To add Encrypt on the right-click of a file or folder:


1. Press WINDOWS LOGO + R.


2. Type regedit and press ENTER.


3. Type in the address bar and press ENTER:


Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced


4. Right-click Advanced, point to New, and then click DWORD Value (32-bit).


5. Type EncryptionContextMenu and press ENTER.


6. Double-click EncryptionContextMenu and type 1 and then press ENTER.


7. Close Registry Editor.


Users can also rely on BitLocker if they use Windows 10 Pro. However, if users run Windows 10 Home, they can download a third-party application from the Internet that uses file or folder encryption.

:)

 

Windows 10 Encryption/Decryption of Folders/Files 'Certificate'

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

To understand the issue better, I suggest you to answer the below question.

• Were you able to Encrypt the data?
• Did you get any error message?
• What exact issue are you facing with Encryption and Decryption?

Note: The first time you encrypt a folder or file, an encryption certificate is automatically created. You should back up your encryption certificate.
If your certificate and key are lost or damaged and you don't have a backup,
you won't be able to use the files that you have encrypted.

Keep us posted to help you better.

 

Decrypt Encrypted Files and folders Backed up from Win 7 to Win 10

Hi Dania,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

Do you remember how did you encrypt those files in Windows 7?

I appreciate your efforts and time. Sorry to know that the issue persists.

If you have not tried decrypting using a encryption key, then I suggest you to try the steps provided below and check if it helps.

Encrypt or decrypt a folder or file: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/encrypt-decrypt-folder-file#1TC=windows-7

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

 

Cannot decrypt folder but files and sub-folders contained do decrypt

Hi Paola,

Thank you for your interest in this problem.

• Which encryption software did you use to encrypt the files?
  
  All of the encryption done was using EFS in Windows 10 Pro.
  
• How did you encrypt the files?
  
  The files were encrypted by selecting a folder in File Explorer then right clicking to choose Properties, pressing the Advanced button to the Advanced Attributes screen then checking the box: "Encrypt contents to secure data." Then pressing “OK”
  back to Properties, “OK” again to the Confirm Attribute Changes, select "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files," and OK once more. The encryption then proceeds and all subfolders and files are encrypted. The files were then decrypted by much
  the same process but rather unselecting the "Encrypt contents to secure data" box. This decrypted all the contained files, but the folder and all subfolders remained encrypted. After this the contained files could not again be encrypted by encrypting the
  folder because the "Encrypt contents to secure data" box for the folder was already checked.
  
• How are you able to verify that the files inside the encrypted folders were already decrypted?
  
  By selecting a file and again choosing Properties / Advanced to observe whether the box: "Encrypt contents to secure data" was or was not checked.