Windows 10: Having trouble with encrypting files/folders

I googled the subject and discovered that it's possible to encrypt individual files and folders with a password. I thought this would be a great idea after almost losing a flash drive recently. Some information would be best not lost to unauthorized people.

The instructions I was given for accomplishing this is as follows: Right click on file or folder, click Properties, then in the General tab click Advanced, then check the box next to "Encrypt Contents to Secure Data". That's where I have a problem. That section (Compress or Encrypt Attributes) is not "active" to allow me to put a check mark in the box. So that's where I'm stuck.

Can someone help me to resolve this?

BTW, I have Win10 Home Edition on a computer that I just bought from Walmart about 4 months ago.

:)

 

i am having trouble accessing my files in a folder i had encrypted prior to updating my windows from 7 ultimate to windows 10.

Original Title - Encryption

Hi there, i am having trouble accessing my files in a folder i had encrypted prior to updating my windows version from 7 ultimate to windows 10.

Please assist on how to regain access to my files.

 

New files not being encrypted

I had my Camera Uploads folder from Drobox set as compressed. I have changed this to encrypted for a bit more security.

The issue I'm having is that any new files created in the folder are set as compressed and not encrypted.

The parent folder(Dropbox) is set as encrypted, the folder itself(Camera Uploads) is set as encrypted and all previous files were encrypted. Only two files that are not encrypted are two hidden files(.dropbox.attr and desktop.ini).

I have enabled encryption using both through the Properties menu and using cipher.exe and new files are not being encrypted.

The documentation says I just need to encrypt the parent folder and all files moved to, copied to, and created in the folder will be encrypted, yet new files are created with the compressed attribute.

 

EFS (Encrypted File System) isn't supported in Windows 10 home. You can uses something like VeraCrypt to create encrypted containers to store data in. CodePlex Archive

 

I use Truecrypt and Veracrypt. Truecrypt is no longer updated or supported.

 

I already use VeraCrypt on my computer to store all my files. But I was hoping to be able to encrypt individual files in my flash drive so that I can store them in the flash drive while still having them secure. Can't run VeraCrypt on computers other than my own. Is there another program I can get to individually decide which files on a flash drive I'd like to password-protect?

 

You can run VeraCrypt from the flash drive. Scroll down on the page I linked to for info of how to do it. VeraCrypt - Home

Edit: When you run the installer choose Extract for a portable version.