Windows 7 file Encryption settings

Method/Step 1 Encrypt files

1. 1

   Right-click the file you want to encrypt, and select the Properties command.

2. 2

   In the Properties dialog box, on the General tab, click the Advanced button.

3. 3

   In the dialog box that pops up, select the Encrypt content to protect data check box, and then click the OK button.

4. 4

   Return to the Properties dialog box and click the OK button.

5. 5

   Tick the encryption option and click the OK button.

6. 6

   Click the icon (1) In the notification area of the taskbar (in the lower-right corner) to eject the Encrypt file system and select the backup now (recommended) option.

7. 7

   The Certificate Export Wizard dialog box pops up and clicks the Next button.

8. 8

   The Export File Format dialog box appears, keeping the default settings, and clicking the Next button.

9. 9

   Pop Up the Password dialog box, enter the encryption password in the password and enter and Confirm password text box, and click the Next button.

   Remember passwords and files, and use them if you reinstall your system.

10. 10

    Pop up the file to Export dialog box, set the location where the file will be saved in the File name text box, and click the Next button.

11. 11

    The Completing the Certificate Export Wizard dialog box pops up, clicks the Finish button, and clicks the OK button in the confirmation Prompt box that pops up.

    END

Method/Step 2 authorize other users to access encrypted files

1. 1

   Right-click the file you want to encrypt, and select the Properties command.

2. 2

   In the Properties dialog box, on the General tab, click the Advanced button.

3. 3

   The Advanced Properties dialog box pops up and the Details button is clicked.

4. 4

   The User Access dialog box appears, and you see the user who currently has access, click the Add button.

5. 5

   Pop Up the Windows Security dialog box, select the user who needs access, and click the OK button. (There is only one user, so only one user is shown)

6. 6

   Go back to the dialog box and click the OK button.

   END

Method/Step 3 Restore the encryption key

1. 1

   Encrypted files are well protected, but once the system is re-installed, the previously encrypted files cannot be opened by default, and the encrypted key must be restored before the encrypted file can be accessed properly. Here's how:

2. 2

   Right-click the file on the key file that you have backed up and select the "Install PFX" command from the popup menu.

3. 3

   The Certificate Import Wizard dialog box pops up and the Next button is clicked.

4. 4

   The file to Import dialog box pops up, keeping the file default settings intact, and clicking the Next button.

5. 5

   Eject the Password dialog box, enter the password for the previous setting in the Password text box, and click the Next button.

6. 6

   Eject the Certificate Store dialog box, select the Automatically select certificate store based on certificate Type button, and click the Next button.

7. 7

   The Completing the Certificate wizard dialog box pops up, clicks the Finish button, and clicks the OK button in the pop-up message box.

   END

Windows 7 file Encryption settings