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Can't encrypt files with built in Encryption tools

RileyTheFox
By RileyTheFox
in Windows
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Posted

Hello. I've been wanting to encrypt some files to protect them from being stolen but the built-in Windows utility is greyed out when I go to encrypt them. Can anyone figure out why? The only way I can encrypt is by using Microsoft word and that's with the Password Protection feature, for all files, I don't feel like using Microsoft Word :/

 

de04b5ccac7670d603f17f0e927e87e6.png

 

Here's what I see when going to encrypt a .txt file containing important information. 

 

Help is appreciated, thanks.

CPU: Intel Core i7 8700  

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070

MOBO: ASUS Z370-F STRIX  

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2133MHz

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windows 10 home doesn't have bitlocker, but windows 10 pro has it.

Ryzen 5 3600 stock | 2x16GB C13 3200MHz (AFR) | GTX 760 (Sold the VII)| ASUS Prime X570-P | 6TB WD Gold (128MB Cache, 2017)

Samsung 850 EVO 240 GB 

138 is a good number.

 

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Just now, themctipers said:

windows 10 home doesn't have bitlocker, but windows 10 pro has it.

But isn't BitLocker full disk encryption? I want to encrypt 1 file, not an entire disk.

CPU: Intel Core i7 8700  

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070

MOBO: ASUS Z370-F STRIX  

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2133MHz

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Just now, EvilCat70 said:

But isn't BitLocker full disk encryption? I want to encrypt 1 file, not an entire disk.

oh, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ryzen 5 3600 stock | 2x16GB C13 3200MHz (AFR) | GTX 760 (Sold the VII)| ASUS Prime X570-P | 6TB WD Gold (128MB Cache, 2017)

Samsung 850 EVO 240 GB 

138 is a good number.

 

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If you download 7zip, you can encrypt files that way.

[Out-of-date] Want to learn how to make your own custom Windows 10 image?

 

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9 minutes ago, DeadEyePsycho said:

If you download 7zip, you can encrypt files that way.

7 zip is great, use it, yea that being said I wish it closed it's self when it's done rather than me needing to do it manually, because that is just to much effort, I mean with my dpi, I need to move the mouse 2cm max, but still far to much effort :P

The owner of "too many" computers, called

The Lord of all Toasters (1920X 1080ti 32GB)

The Toasted Controller (i5 4670, R9 380, 24GB)

The Semi Portable Toastie machine (i7 3612QM (was an i3) intel HD 4000 16GB)'

Bread and Butter Pudding (i7 7700HQ, 1050ti, 16GB)

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The Portable Slice of Bread (N270, HAHAHA, 2GB)

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loaf and let dough (A printer that doesn't print black ink)

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And more, several more

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14 minutes ago, DeadEyePsycho said:

If you download 7zip, you can encrypt files that way.

Ok thank you! 

CPU: Intel Core i7 8700  

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070

MOBO: ASUS Z370-F STRIX  

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2133MHz

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Or use old but the best - TrueCrypt. Just ignore "use Bitlocker" on the first page that you'll find.

 

Or use newer branch called VeraCrypt.

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On 27/03/2017 at 3:32 AM, Niksa said:

Or use old but the best - TrueCrypt. Just ignore "use Bitlocker" on the first page that you'll find.

 

Or use newer branch called VeraCrypt.

 

This is all FULL DISK ENCRYPTION. I want to encrypt ONE FILE ONLY, and when it needs to be accessed, have it be unlocked by a password. I do not want to encrypt my full disk and it need a password to enter the operating system. 

CPU: Intel Core i7 8700  

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070

MOBO: ASUS Z370-F STRIX  

RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2133MHz

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10 hours ago, EvilCat70 said:

This is all FULL DISK ENCRYPTION. I want to encrypt ONE FILE ONLY, and when it needs to be accessed, have it be unlocked by a password. I do not want to encrypt my full disk and it need a password to enter the operating system. 

Not necessarily. With both tools you can create encrypted container of specified size and put a file(s) inside. You don't need to encrypt the whole disk (but you can if you want).

 

The other way is to use GPG (GPG4Win) but it is a bit more complicated to use.  

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