XP folder encryption and file encryption application detailed

Windows XP file encryption is powerful and easy-to-use, so many users use it to protect their own important files. However, because most users are not aware of this function, often problems in the use of the process, in the "Computer Hospital" We also frequently received the reader's help letter, for this reason, Chip here will specifically for you to detail about the use of this feature skills.

Microsoft built a file encryption function in Windows2000, which was later ported to WinXP. With this feature, we can encrypt the specified files or folders simply by clicking a few mouse clicks, and we can still access and use them as easily as before unencrypted, which is very convenient. and encrypted even if the hacker hacked into the system, fully mastered the access to files, still unable to read these files and folders.

But the simple and powerful file encryption feature also brings trouble to many users. Because the use of simple, many users are happy to use it to protect their own important files, but most users because of the lack of a real understanding of the function, in the use of leaks, can not decrypt and other problems occur frequently, precisely encrypted files are often important documents, the impact is very large. To this end, the author deliberately organized some relevant knowledge of the function and the use of skills to share with you.

Encrypt and decrypt files and folders

Windows2000 and WinXP Professional editions and Windows2003 users can use the built-in file encryption, but only if the files and folders on which you are trying to encrypt must be in the NTFS file system. Also note that because the cryptographic decryption function does not work at startup, the system files or files in the system directory cannot be encrypted, and the system cannot start if the files in the operating system installation directory are encrypted. In addition, the NTFS file system provides a compressed user can easily access files and folders before compressing the file compression function, but this feature can not be used in conjunction with the file encryption function, using ZIP, RAR and other compressed software compressed files not in this limit.

When encrypting, simply right-click the file or folder that you want to encrypt. Then select Properties, click the Advanced button on the General tab of the Properties dialog box, select the Encrypt content to protect data check box on the Advanced Properties dialog box, and confirm that you can encrypt the file if the folder is encrypted , the Confirm Property Changes dialog box will be further ejected to confirm that the selected folder is encrypted, or that the selected folder, subfolder, and files in it are encrypted. And the decryption step is the opposite of encryption, all you need to do is clear the check mark on the Encrypt content to protect data checkbox in the Advanced Properties dialog box (Figure 1), and the Confirm Property Changes dialog box, which pops up when the folder is decrypted, asks you to confirm the scope of the decryption operation's application.


Figure 1

After encryption, users can open and edit them as they would with normal files, or perform copy, paste, and so on, and files created in encrypted folders or copied from other folders are automatically encrypted. The names of the files and folders that are encrypted are displayed by default as light green. If the names of files and folders that are encrypted on your computer are not displayed in color, you can click the "My Computer Tools folder Options" and click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box to select Display the encrypted or compressed NTFS file in color check box.

Grant or revoke permissions for other users

If you want, you can give other users full access to the encrypted file. However, it is important to understand that Windows uses cryptographic schemes based on keys, and that users are created with encryption keys for the user when they first use the feature, so that the user you are planning to give permission must have used the system's encryption function, Otherwise, you will not be able to successfully confer permissions on the other. The file encryption feature built into Windows allows only the full permissions of other users to access the encrypted file, not allowing the permissions of the encrypted folder to be assigned to other users.

To give or revoke access to encrypted files by other users, you can right-click an encrypted file, select Properties, click the Advanced button on the General tab of the Properties dialog box, click the Details button in the Advanced Properties dialog box, and then go through the Add and delete button to add or remove other users who can access the file. (Computer science)

Backup key

Many readers have turned to our computer hospital for help after a system failure or after reinstalling the system, unable to access the files and folders they had previously encrypted. However, it is too late, Windows built encryption function and user's account is very close, while the user's key for decryption is also stored in the system, any cause of user account changes in the operation and failure are likely to bring disaster, to avoid this situation, you must prepare for a rainy day, Back up the encryption key immediately after using the encryption feature.