How to encrypt files in Windows 10

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Microsoft has always been a company concerned with the security of user data. Since Windows XP an encryption system called EFS was implemented que permitió resguardar información sensible mediante una contraseña definida por el Username, sistema que se ha mantenido up to current Windows 10 for compatibility and despite its security problems.

Over time, the encryption function has been improved in the following versions of the system, at the same time as the appearance of third-party tools for the same purpose or, even, to be implemented a new one using virtual containers called BitLocker. In the next tutorial, we will show you some alternatives to encrypt your data with Windows 10.

Encrypt information with EFS

Probably the fastest way to encrypt a document inside a computer with Windows 10 you are using your own encryption utility called EFS (Encrypted file service). This tool is very simple and will provide protection for all your files in a matter of a few clicks.

Before showing you the system, we must warn you that files encrypted through it EFS are associated with the user account with which they are created.. Otras cuentas de usuario, inclusive si disponen permisos de administrador, no podrán ingresar a su contents. Thus, make sure you keep your password or your file will be permanently locked.

Then we can get down to it. Here are the specific steps you need to follow to encrypt a file using the EFS service:

1. Do right click on the file or folder that you intend to protect and go to the menu Properties.
2. At General tab, click the button that indicates Advanced Options…
   
   
3. Below the option box to compress content to save disk space, you will see another that says Encrypt content to protect data. We will select it and click on the OK button.
   
4. In the case of directories, the system will ask us if we want to encrypt the content of the entire folder or also include that of all files and subfolders let them hang on it. Choose the option that interests you and accept the changes.

With this we would have finished the encryption of the information. Your files and folders are now protected from outside eyes and the lock on your icon is an example of this. All this procedure is reversibleand go back to the file properties and uncheck the Encrypt content option to decrypt the content of files and folders.

However, in Windows News we know that memory is fragile and it never hurts to have a backup of our password For security. This is why we explain how to make a backup copy of your EFS encryption key below.

Make a backup of the EFS key

The steps you should follow if you need to make a backup copy of your EFS key are the following:

1. Click on the toaster what it will seem to you when encrypting with EFS and choose Make a backup.
   
2. Choose Copy now.
   
3. Export the certificates proposed by the system, leaving the indicated alternatives intact. We will press the button next.
4. We will choose the password to export the certificate and later its location.
   

With these steps we would have successfully exported the file with the EFS key to recover our files.

Encrypt information with BitLocker

To activate BitLocker encryption in Windows 10 we will follow the following steps:

1. Enter the control panel from the user menu (right click on the start button).
   
2. Open BitLocker Drive Encryption.
   
3. In Operating system disk drive, expand the disk drive information, then tap or click Enable BitLocker. You may be asked to provide an administrator password or to confirm your choice. (*10*)
   
4. The Disk Drive Encryption Wizard BitLocker may take a few minutes to prepare your computer. Follow the prompts until the screen appears Select how to unlock the disk drive on startup.
   
5. Choose how you want to lock the drive and then follow the instructions until the message How do you want to back up the recovery key? the screen appears.
6. Choose how you want to backup the recovery key, then tap or click Next.
   
7. You may want to print a copy of the security key to save it.
8. Choose the volume of the disk drive you want to encrypt, then tap or click Next.
   
9. Do one of the following:
   
10. For immediately start encryption drive, tap or click Start encryption.
11. To ensure that your computer can read both the encryption key and the recovery key, check the Run BitLocker system checkbox and then tap or click Continue.

Run the system check It is one of the methods to get BitLocker to work correctly, even though it will take longer and you will have to restart the computer. If you choose to run the system check, make sure you've saved what you've been doing before restarting. Upon restart, the computer will ask you to unlock the disk drive operating system with the method you have chosen.

In the same way as with BitLocker drive encryption, you can lock fixed data discs or removable data disc drives with BitLocker To Go features.