How to Encrypt Your Information and Files in Microsoft Windows

When you work in a shared computer, you may be afraid that another person uses your personal information or your project. To prevent this from happening, you need to encrypt your files or folders.

There are some softwares that you can use to lock your files or folders with a password. However, you can use Encrypting File System in Windows to protect sensitive information in your computer. Encrypting File System has different version in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. The main function of this program is encrypting your file or folder, so that your information will be difficult to recognize or read.

Encrypting File System is in Windows 2000, XP Pro, Vista Business, Enterprise and ultimate. However, XP home, Vista Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium can only decrypt the encrypted files or folders. Therefore, you can only read the files or folders but cannot encrypt them in these versions of Windows. To use Encrypting File System's file type, you have to format your partition to NTFS. Decrypting process also requires you to set password to your user account.

To encrypt a file or folder, simply right-click on that file or folder and choose "Properties". In General Tab, choose "Advanced" and mark "Encrypte contents to secure date" (See the image). Click "OK". When you encrypt a folder, the system will ask do you want to encrypt the files inside also. After encrypted, the folders or files will become green. When you log in your account, you do not need password to open the encrypted files or folders. However, when other people log in, they need password to access your file. The greatest advantage of this software is even administrators need access password to use your files or folders. Therefore, you do not need to worry about your personal information in these encrypted files.

If you are using a version of Microsoft Windows that does not support Encrypting File System, you can refer freeware like "File Encryptor" to encrypt your information. You can download this program here. It is only about 100KB and very simple to use. Besides, if you cannot decrypt your file because of using different version of Windows, you should try "Truecrypt". Even though this software does not always work well, it will partly help you to open your locked files or folders in another computers. "Truecrypt" is provided here.

Using Encrypting File System, you do not have to worry about your personal information anymore. Even administrators cannot approach your files. You can also use this great feature of Windows to secure your network or your website. If this method does not work, you should try to use "File Encryptor" and "Truecrypt" to help you protect your sensitive files and folders.