File encryption is one of the best solutions if we want to keep our most personal and sensitive documents safe. Although there are programs that allow us to protect files with a password, the truth is that it is not usually the safest solution. The good news is that Microsoft has made several tools available to users that allow us to encrypt files and documents in Windows 10 for free. In fact, we will not have to resort to external programs, the only requirement is to have a version of Windows 10 professional, such as Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise. In other words, Windows 10 Home and S do not support this function, although we can use third-party tools.
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Encrypt files: what it is, what it is for and what types of encryption exist
Before entering the subject, it is convenient to know the keys to modern encryption. What today's encryption systems do is “mess up” the data strings of files and folders, that is, the bits, to make them inaccessible and untreatable. This mess is usually protected by what is known as an encryption password, a password that we can define ourselves.
If we talk about types of encryption, currently there are two systems, asymmetric encryption and symmetric encryption . The difference between one system and another lies in the use of encryption passwords. While asymmetric encryption bases its protection systems on two encryption keys, one private and one public, symmetric encryption uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data. All this in broad strokes.
Within each type of encryption we can find several subsystems. Examples of asymmetric encryption are the DSA and RSA systems. As for symmetric encryption, the most common type of encryption is AES . The latter will be the type of encryption that we will use to encrypt files in Windows through the system's native tool, which in this case is called BitLocker.
So you can encrypt and encrypt files in Windows 10 (PDF, Word, folder ...)
Encrypting a file, folder or document in Windows 10 is a very simple task as long as we have a professional version of Windows 10. From the Windows Desktop or File Explorer we will right-click on the element that we want to encrypt. Then, we will click on Properties and finally Advanced Options, as we can see in the screenshot below.
Within the pop-up window that will appear, we will mark the option to Encrypt content to protect data to encrypt the selected files. After clicking on Apply, the system will ask us if we want to encrypt the files or the folders that contain the files. It is advisable to opt for the last option, although the first will serve us perfectly to limit access to the elements.
Once we have encrypted the files, Windows will send us a notification that will invite us to make a backup copy of the encryption key for the files. In other words, the system will invite us to create an encryption key to protect the files outside of our Windows user.
The process from now on is really simple, since we will only have to accept the operations and click Next after checking the option Make backup copy now (recommended). Before setting the encryption password, we will have to make sure not to touch any field on the Export File Format screen . The same happens with the Encryption field that will appear in the Security section next to the Password field.
This is how the files look once they are encrypted.
After completing the configuration process of the Certificate Export Wizard, Windows will create a key with the name and format that we have previously assigned . This file will be unique for the whole system. In other words, any file that we encrypt from now on will be associated with the key that we just created. If we want to access the files from a different user than the current one or from an external device (tablet, computer, mobile phone ...) we will have to transfer the password along with the files and use the password that we have configured in the Windows Assistant. Otherwise, we will not be able to access your content, regardless of whether we are the original users.
I don't have Windows 10 Pro, what can I do to encrypt files?
If we don't have a professional version of Windows 10, we can always use external solutions. Fortunately, the number of free programs that exist to encrypt files in Windows is quite extensive.
The best tool that we can find for free on the market is AES Crypt . It is an open source program that uses AES encryption to encrypt files on our computer. The advantage of this program is that it integrates directly with the Windows options, in such a way that we will only have to right click on the element that we want to encrypt to proceed with its encryption as long as we have used the version of the program with an interface (There is an alternative version that we can run from the command machine).
- Download AES Crypt for Windows
The operation once we have selected the elements that we want to protect is very similar to the Windows solution. Simply set an encryption password to veto access the files. As simple as that. Neither types of encryption, nor digital keys, nor complex configurations.
This will be the message that will appear if we try to access the encrypted file from a computer with macOS.
After setting the access password, the program will duplicate the original file with the native format of the tool . To access the files again we will have to enter the password previously established. If we access from a different user, computer or operating system, we will have to download AES Crypt to unlock the elements. The good news is that it is compatible with Windows as well as macOS and Linux.
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