FILE ENCRYPTION ON HARD DRIVE - WINDOWS 7

• THIS SECURTY FEATURE IS ONLY ENABLED FOR WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE & ENTERPRISE EDITON. 

• IN THIS SECURITY LESSON, YOU WILL CAME TO KNOW ABOUT THE IN-BUILT ENCRYPTION TECHNIQUE IN WINDOWS 7. HOW YOU CAN ENCRYPT YOUR FOLDER OR WHOLE HARD DRIVE USING WINDOWS 7 OFFICIAL ENCRYPTION TOOL.

**************************************************************************************************************************************

ENCRYPT YOUR FILES

•  Right-click the file folder you wish to encrypt and click Properties.

• In the Properties dialog, click Advanced.

• Check Encrypt contents to secure data and click OK.

•  If you are encrypting a folder, you will be asked if you want to apply the encryption to sub-folders. This is useful if you want to protect the whole tree under the folder you are encrypting.

• Your files will now be encrypted.

• Notice the file or folder names are now green–this provides an easy way to show the data is encrypted.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DECRYPT YOUR FILES

If you want to decrypt your files or folders so they can be accessed on a different computer, simply follow the steps above and uncheck Encrypt contents to secure data.

Back Up Your Private Encryption Key

• If you move your files to a new computer, operating system, or user account, you will need the private key to access your files. To backup the key after encrypting your files, do the following:

• After encrypting your files for the first time, and icon should appear in the system tray. Double click on it.

• Click Back up now (recommended).

• On the Certificate Export Wizard, click Next.

• Choose Personal Information Exchange and click Next.

• Type a password and click Next.

• Save your encryption key & CLICK FINISH.

• You will be notified that the certificate export is successful.

• Back up the certificate for later use.  Your files and certificate are now protected.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------