Windows encrypt a file

Once VeraCrypt is installed, all you need to do is enter your VeraCrypt password whenever you start the computer. While installing VeraCrypt is much simpler than the alternative, there is more to it than just launching an installer and pressing Okay a few times. And if you mess up, there is a chance you will lose files or even access to the entire disk drive. We suggest you read through the instructions that follow before starting the process. If you are not confident you can complete the steps shown, or if you have a bad habit of losing important passwords, it is better to skip this type of encryption.

The Wizard displays the Number of Operating Systems window. Is your system dual-boot or multi-boot you can start the system in various operating systems? If so, select Multi-boot.

Otherwise, select Single-boot. Click the Next button to continue. The Wizard displays the Encryption Options window. Both are widely-used algorithms that will serve you well. The Wizard displays the Password window. It is important to choose strong passwords if you want your system to be secure. Many password manager programs such as our top pick, Bitwarden include password generators that can help you create a strong one.

Note: VeraCrypt will hassle you about it if you choose a password less than 20 characters long. The Wizard displays the Collecting Random Data window. You will be required to move your mouse around randomly within the window. This additional randomness increases the strength of your encryption keys. Once the randomness meter at the bottom of the window is full you can click the Next button to continue.

The Wizard displays the Keys Generated window. There is nothing you need to do here except click the Next button to continue.

The explanation for this appears in the following image. If you want to live dangerously you can set the Skip Rescue Disk verification checkbox to avoid being forced to create a physical rescue disk. Unless you selected the Skip Rescue Disk verification option in the last step you are now going to be forced to create a physical rescue disk and allow VeraCrypt to inspect it to see if you did it right.

Remember finding a spare USB drive a little while ago? It is time to insert that USB drive into your system. Now navigate to the location where VeraCrypt stored its Rescue Disk in the previous step. Once that is done, click Next so VeraCrypt can check your work. Remove the USB drive from the computer and click Next. The Wizard displays the Wipe Mode window. Make sure the Wipe Mode is set to None fastest and click Next to continue. We are getting there.

The Wizard now displays the System Encryption Pretest window. The image below explains what will happen in detail. Click Test to see how it goes. Note that VeraCrypt will probably ask you to print some more warnings and emergency procedures and the like before it actually does the test, so be ready for that. Assuming everything went well, you should see the following window once you have successfully restarted your computer and passed the system encryption pretest. Encrypting important information is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from everyone who is trying so hard to get their hands on your personal information.

In this guide we covered techniques that Windows 10 users can use to encrypt individual files, folders, and entire drives on their Windows systems. Masthead credit: eamesBot. Before we go further, here are a couple of points to keep in mind: With Windows 7 now unsupported, and Windows 8 best forgotten as fast as possible, this guide deals only with the Windows 10 operating system.

It is the conventional method wherein all users use a single key to decrypt the data. The same key is used for encrypting and decrypting the message. Therefore, it is important that you make the password more complex and more difficult to extract. The longer the key, the higher the level of security!

AES is a peculiar example of this kind of encryption. The use of characters provides complexity and security at the same time. In this method, the public key is used for encryption, and the private key is used for decryption. Only authenticated recipients can decrypt the message by using the private key.

This method provides both data encryption and validation of the identities of communicating individuals. This latest method is comparatively slower but more secure.

EFS allows you to apply encryption to already-existing files and folders into your system. The full form of EFS is Encryption file system. Double-click to open the AxCrypt install file in your web browser or "Downloads" folder. Click the checkbox to agree to the license terms and conditions and click Install. Open AxCrypt.

Enter your email and click Ok. A verification code will be sent to your email. Retrieve the verification code from your email. Open the email and look for the 6-digit verification code. You may need to check your email spam or junk folder. Enter the verification code. Create a password and click Ok.

Then click Ok at the bottom of the Window. AxCrypt will rate the strength of your password as you enter it. As long as you are signed into AxCrypt, you do not need to enter your password to encrypt or decrypt files. Use as strong a password as possible. Enter your password and click Ok. You are required to log into AxCrypt before you can use it.

Warning: If you forget your password, you will not be able to open your encrypted files and folders. You may want to write down your password and store it in a safe location.

Click Start Trial or Not Now. AxCrypt offers you a free trial of Premium services. Right-click a file or folder you want to Encrypt.

You can use File Explorer to navigate to a file or folder you want to encrypt. Right-click the file or folder you want to encrypt to display a context menu to the right. Hover over AxCrypt. This option is available in the context menu once AxCrypt is installed.

This displays a submenu to the right. This displays a pop-up AxCrypt notification. If you are already signed in to AxCrypt, you don't need to enter your password. If you are not signed in to your password, you will be required to enter your password and click Ok. This converts all files in the folder into encrypted. To open a. Click Decrypt and enter your password to decrypt it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

If you lose your password or encryption key, you will not be able to decrypt your files. Make sure you write down or backup your passwords and store them in a safe location.

Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. AES encryption is effectively impossible to crack, making it best for your data's security. AES encryption is further available in two strengths, bit and bit. Even though bit is stronger than bit, the encryption processing with bit AES is much faster.

With WinRAR 5. However, password-based encryption is only as strong as the length and composition of the password you give it. As such, always ensure the passwords you use are of a decent length and complexity to ensure your files are secure. Once secure, you can then share the file on the internet without worrying about people taking a peek inside.

While we're on the topic of password-protecting your data, did you know that you can do the same thing with a USB drive? Just put a password on it and never worry about someone stealing your data again. Learn the best ways to password protect your USB drive and keep your files secure. Shan Abdul is an engineering graduate. After completing his graduation and MS, he has started his career as a freelance writer. He writes about using different tools and software to help people to be more productive as a student or professional.