Windows 10: W10 'Encrypt contents of secure data' option remains flawed

Windows 10 Professional x64 Version 1809 (OS Build 17763.134)

Bitlocker 2.0 encrypted system



1. In File Explorer go to the C: drive and create TestEncryption folder:


2. Right-click on the TestEncryption folder and click Properties.


3. Click on the Advanced button in the General tab.


4. Select Encrypt contents to secure data option, click OK twice.



5. Go in to the TestEncryption folder and create a text file (i.e. testfile.txt) with some text in it.

Please note the security icon showing on the text file icon.


6. If you copy the file on to a USB flash drive and try to view the file, this error shows:



This is working correctly.


Here is how to get around to reading the encrypted file to the system:



1. On the original system you encrypted the testfile.txt file, copy the file over to a cloud drive, such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.


2. Access the Cloud Drive on another computer through the web or installed cloud drive.


3. Copy the testfile.txt file to the computer. The file remains marked as an encrypted file.


4. Open the textfile.txt in Notepad and the file opens in plain text without any error messages.


This is a BUG in Microsoft encryption handling of files!

I haven't used Microsoft Community forums for a very long time and not sure how to report this as a bug. After reading Microsoft's documentation on how this feature works, it does not work very well and needs to get enhanced.

:)

 

option to 'Encrypt contents to secure data' is greyed out.

Hi - I need to encrypt my laptop and also enable encryption on some folders due to some work I am doing for a client to comply with GDPR, but the option to 'Encrypt contents to secure data' is greyed out. I recently purchased the laptop with Windows 10.
Can anyone help?

 

How to enable grayed out "Encrypt Contents to secure data" button.

Hi,

We would like to know more about this concern. Please provide the following information:

• Does the "Encrypt Contents to secure data" option is disabled on all files that you want to encrypt?
• When was the issue started?
• Did you check if your computer runs the latest Windows update?

We look forward to your reply.

 

Encrypt contents to secure data option is disabled in Windows 10

I am running Windows 10 Home, when I follow the online instructions to encrypt a file or folder by going to Properties -Advanced, the
"Encrypt contents to secure data" option is unavailable, "grayed out" as shown in the picture. How do I make this option available?

I tried to modify the registry NtfsDisableEncryption in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem, do
but nothing change. Please help

Thank you