How To Encrypt Files and Folder on Windows 10

If you wish to learn how to encrypt files on your Windows PC, read on for simple solutions. 

Encryption maximizes privacy, allowing only the sender and receiver to access the information. The algorithm used to encrypt data converts it into coded language, making it inaccessible to others, which can only be decrypted by a password. This technique has existed for a long time, but not everyone knows how to use it. Therefore, through this article, we aim to explain –

• What is file/folder encryption?
• How to encrypt a file or folder in Windows 10 by an inbuilt feature of Windows.
• How to encrypt or decrypt a file or folder using Advanced System Optimizer, one of the best PC tweaking tools.

What is File/Folder Encryption?

File and folder encryption means securely encoding files and stored data, preventing unauthorized access, and keeping nasty people at bay.  It is a practical solution for those who want to keep confidential data safe and make it unreadable for unauthorized personnel.

Pros and Cons of Encryption –

Pros – 

1. Protects your files and folders from unauthorized access.
2. Keeps the confidentiality of your files intact.
3. Reduces the chances of tampering with the files, keeping them untouched.
4. It allows you to classify the users with a key to access the file/folder. You can simply give the decryption key to the people you want to allow access to, and the rest will not be able to use it.
5. Your files are safe even after being copied to other devices. Encryption is a two-factor authentication for users who simply plan to copy your file from the PC and use it on their system.

Cons – 

1. Encryption adds an extra layer of security. However, it adds an extra step to accessing the file, which reduces its promptness. Adding encryption may not be the best idea if you use a file regularly.
2. Encrypting files may be difficult for novice users; if anything goes wrong during the process, the data at hand may be at risk.
3. If a user forgets the password after encrypting the file/folder, they may be unable to access it forever. This poses a huge threat to the data as not everyone remembers passwords.
4. Playing around with file encryption can mess up many settings related to a folder’s permissions. Hence, it is advisable to avoid encryption if the targeted user is a novice and is not technically sound enough to handle encrypted files.
5. Encrypted files may often cause interruptions when used in a running project. For instance, when you have curated a program to run multiple pictures as a slideshow, a file that is password protected will always disturb the show and ask for a password, breaking the entire experience.

Encryption has its pros and cons; you just have to decide whether a file is worth encrypting. 

Can You Encrypt File and folder in Windows 10 Home Using Inbuilt Features?

No! Windows 10 Home does not have a direct file encryption function. Hence, the question arises of how to encrypt files or folders on Windows 10 Home.

Don’t worry. Whether you are a Windows 10 Home, Professional, or Windows 11 user or someone running an older version of Windows, you can easily encrypt files and folders using a powerful PC cleanup tool called Advanced System Optimizer. 

This tool has a specific module that helps encrypt and decrypt files and folders, irrespective of the Windows version. Also, it allows you to clean privacy exposing traces, update drivers, clean malware infections, manage startup, free up space, keep your PC clean and optimized, check disk health, and more. 

The main features of Advanced System Optimizer software are –

• System Cleaner
• Disk Optimizer
• Disk Explorer
• Secure Delete
• Secure Encryption
• Privacy Protector
• Game and Memory Optimizer, etc

This software is highly preferred and recommended by users.

Steps To Encrypt Files and Folders Using Software in Windows

This method discusses the easiest way to encrypt or decrypt a file or folder using Advanced System Optimizer.

• Download Advanced System Optimizer using the button given below:
  

• Complete the installation and launch the software.
• From the left sidebar, go to the Security & Privacy module.

• On the right, you will see four options: System Protector, Privacy Protector, Secure Delete, and Secure Encryptor.
• Click on Secure Encryptor, which is placed in the fourth position.
• Click the Select Files button under the File Encryptor tab.
• Choose from the options Add Folder or Add File as per the requirement.
• Select a file or the folder to be encrypted from the browser option.
• Once added, it will appear in the list on the System Optimization tool.

• Click on the blue Encrypt button. Enter a strong password to encrypt the file, then re-enter it. Set a password hint so that if you forget the password, you can recall it. Click OK.
  
  
• Wait for the encryption process to finish.

• You will now get a message informing you of the number of files encrypted, password hint, etc.
  
• Click the Finish button to exit.

This is how you can encrypt selected files and folders on Windows using Secure Encryptor. 

How to Decrypt Encrypted Files and Folders?

Advanced System Optimizer allows decrypting files encrypting using it. To decrypt the file, follow these steps.

• Launch Advanced System Optimizer.
• Go to Security and Privacy > Secure Encryptor option.
• Click the ‘File Decryptor’ tab > Select Files.
• You will now see a list of encrypted files. If the desired file doesn’t appear, click the add button.
• Select the file and click the decrypt option. Enter the password.
• Enter the password > click OK and wait for the decryption process to finish.
• You will not get a summary of the action performed. To exit click Finish.

With these simple steps, you can encrypt and decrypt files and folders in all the versions of Windows.

Must Read: How to Deep Clean a PC the Right Way?

Manual Ways to Encrypt and Decrypt Files and Folders on Windows

Method 1 – Encrypting Via Folder Properties

• Go to File Explorer. Press Windows + E.
• Select and right-click the file or folder you want to encrypt.
• Click the Properties option.
  
  

• Click the Advanced button under the General tab.

• You will now get a few options. Here select the box next to “Encrypt contents to secure data.”

• Click OK to save the settings.
• Click Apply in the previous dialogue box > OK.

That’s all. Your file or folder will now be encrypted.

Method 2 – Enable Device Encryption From Windows Settings

Encryption keeps the data on the device protected. Please follow the steps to enable device encryption. However, if you can’t find the option, you can enable standard BitLocker encryption.

Note – BitLocker is unavailable on Windows 10 Home edition

• Sign in with your admin account > open Windows Settings (press Windows + I).
• Click on Update and Security.
  
  

• Click “Device Encryption.”
• Click on the “Turn On” button. If it is already “ON,” it will show Turn off.

If you cannot find the option, we suggest you enable standard BitLocker encryption. To do so follow these steps:

• Log in to your Windows device with an administrator account
• Press Windows + S and in the search box type Manage BitLocker.
  
  Note : This option will only be visible if BitLocker is available for your device.

• Click Turn on BitLocker.
  
  
  
• Let the BitLocker run and check for PC configuration.
  
  
• You will now get two options Insert USB and Enter a password.
• To encrypt using a password click Enter a password follow on-screen instructions and encrypt the drive.
  

Read Also : How to Password Protect PDF Documents

Method 3 – Encrypting Documents Using MS Word

When it comes to encryption, documents are the most commonly affected files. If you are a regular MS Word user, you can start using the internal document encryption feature. All you have to do is – 

Step 1 – Open the document on your computer using MS Word.
Step 2 – Navigate to File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password.

Step 3 – Enter the password you want to use for encryption and re-enter it to finalize it.

After adding the password, use Ctrl+S to save the file with encryption. The next time you launch your document, you must enter the password to access it.

Method 4 – Encrypt Files and Folders Using Winzip

While Winzip appears to be the best way to compress and keep multiple files and folders in a single place, it also offers encryption. This means you can create a .zip file for a group of files and folders and then encrypt it so that a key is required before extracting the files or even accessing them. 

Step 1 – Download and install the Winzip application from the official source.
Step 2—Navigate to the folder you want to encrypt. Select the folder and files and right-click on them to find the Winzip option. Expand the option to find more functionalities.

Step 3 – Select the add to zip option. This will open the Winzip application on your computer.
Step 4 – Let Winzip add your folder and files to a zip.

Step 5—Once all the files are added, navigate to the top bar and click on Tools. There, you may find the Encrypt option.

Step 6—Click on Encrypt, and a pop-up will appear asking you to set a password for your encrypted folder.

Step 7 – Set the password and Voila! You have successfully encrypted your folder easily. 

Also Read: How to Free Up Space in Windows 11,10

Wrapping up –

In conclusion, to get your file encrypted easily, we prefer using software that helps not just protect your files but also helps manage your disk and provides you with attacks from fraudulent and phishing websites.

ASO is a freemium and popular software. You can download a free version (a 24-hour free trial to help you test the product) or purchase a plan according to your needs.