Windows 10: Error "you need administrator privileges" while trying to encrypt a folder in Windows 10...

Dear folks,


- For several hours I'm trying to encrypt a folder in Windows 10 Professional with Windows' built-in encryption tools.

- My users account-type is administrator.

- The ownership of the folder is assign to my user.

- It's just a folder in D:\ (so not a 'special' system folder or something.)

- I've dragged the UAC slider all the way to the bottom.


These are the steps I take:

- right click folder

- click 'properties' (at the bottom)

- a window opens (note: this window has a black square at "read-only (only applicable to files in the folder)" which I can't seem to get rid off. This however is -not- the problem, because I've another computer with the same problem, but allows me to encrypt a folder I've just made)

- click advanced (a new window opens)

- put a checkmark at "encrypt contents to secure data"

- click OK (the window disappears)

- click OK in the properties-window


Then pops up a message (with a red circle with a white cross) saying "You need administrator privileges to change these atributes. Click Continue to complete this operation." If I then click 'Contine' (which has a blue-yellow shield next to it) I get a message saying "An error occured while applying the attributes" with the buttons 'ignore', 'ignore all', 'try again', 'abort'. The button 'try again' offcourse doesn't work.


I've searched the internet for hours and I want this issue solved.

(please don't suggest other encryption possibilities)

:)

 

Can't encrypt or password protect folders?

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. I understand the inconvenience you faced.
I will certainly help you with this.

The information which you have provided is not enough for us to determine the issue. Please provide us more information.

• Are you logging-in using Administrator User account?
• Is this issue specific to any particular folder or persist in all the folders?

Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that you can use to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure. I suggest you to try
log-in through other Administrator account and perform the below given steps to encrypt the folder and check if it works:

How to encrypt a file

• Right-click (or tap and hold) a file or folder and select Properties.
• Select the Advanced... button and select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.
• Select OK to close the Advanced Attributes window, select
  Apply, and then select OK.

Please post back with the results and the information asked, we will be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Encrypting a folder

Hello Bill,

To encrypt a folder in Windows 10 Home, follow these steps:

• Right-click the folder you want to encrypt and click Properties.
• On the General tab, click Advanced.
• Under Compress or Encrypt attributes, click Encrypt contents to secure data.
• Click OK then Apply to save the changes.

We're just here if you need further help.

 

Error: "You need administrator privileges to make the changes" on Windows 10

Hi Dennis,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being part of Windows 10.

I understand your concern about administrator privileges to your user account. We will help you with this issue.

Do let us know the following to assist you better with this issue:

• How exactly have you tried to change the user account to administrator?
• Have you logged in as an administrator using Microsoft account on your device?
• Have you enabled Built-in administrator account?

Try the below steps if not yet tried and check if it helps.

I suggest you to check the user account and their types on your device.

• Press Windows + R key together on your desktop screen.
• Type netplwiz and hit
  Enter.
• Check if there are any other user accounts on your device as an administrator.

Step 1: If you have an account with administrative privileges login through that account and try the following steps to change the user account type:

• Press Windows + R keys from the Keyboard.
  
• Type netplwiz and click on Ok.
  
• Click on the Users tab.
• Under Users of this computer: select the account you want to change.
  
• Click on Properties button.
• Select Group Membership tab and select the type of user account.
  
• Click on Apply and Ok.

Step 2: If you are a local user, I suggest you to convert the local account to Microsoft account and check if it helps.

Follow:

• Make sure you are device is connected to internet.
• Click Start and then Settings.
• Click Accounts and click on
  Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
• Follow onscreen instructions.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue for further assistance.