Encrypting a File or Folder Parent topic

Procedure

  1. Right-click on the file or folder that you want to encrypt.
  2. Choose the location to create the encrypted file.
    Option
    Description
    Details
    Archive
    Create the encrypted file locally.
    The encrypted file will appear in the same folder as the original file.
    Archive and Burn
    Write the encrypted file to a CD or DVD.
    In the authentication window, you will be prompted to select your writable disk drive.
  3. Choose the authentication method to access the encrypted file.
    Option
    Description
    Notes
    Local Key
    Create an encrypted file that can only be accessed by the user who created it.
    This option is only available if you select Archive.
    No window will display after selecting this option. The encrypted file will be created immediately.
    Depending on the Windows operating system, a user may view folder contents if switching from one user to a separate user without restarting Windows. While file names and folder content may be viewed, the file contents are not available. This is due to Windows operating system caching the file structure for quick search capability.
    Shared Key
    Create an encrypted file that can only be accessed by any member of the current user's policy group.
    This option is only available if you select Archive.
    No window will display after selecting this option. The encrypted file will be created immediately.
    Depending on the Windows operating system, a user may view folder contents if switching from one user to a separate user without restarting Windows. While file names and folder content may be viewed, the file contents are not available. This is due to Windows operating system caching the file structure for quick search capability.
    Fixed Password
    Create an encrypted file that requires a password to access.
    There is no functionality available for password recovery with self-extracting files. If a password is forgotten, the encrypted file cannot be recovered.
    Due to a Windows limitation, executable (self-extracting) files cannot be larger than 2 GB.
    Certificate
    Create an encrypted file that requires specific digital certificates to access.
    The digital certificates may be stored on smart cards depending on your environment and policy settings.
    file_encryption_context_menu.jpg

    File Encryption Actions

  4. If a window appears, complete all on-screen instructions.
    File Encryption creates the encrypted file in the intended location. The original files or folders are unchanged and can be kept or deleted.
Related information

File Encryption Fixed Password Encryption Parent topic

If you attempt to encrypt a file or folder using a fixed password, the following screen displays:
arch_burn_pass.jpg
The options for this window are as follows:

Fixed Password Options

Option
Details
Password
Confirm
Type and confirm a password that will be required to open the encrypted file.
Burn using
Select the drive with the CD or DVD to write the encrypted file to. If you have not already done so, insert a writable CD or DVD with available free space.
This option is only available if you select Archive and Burn.
Output encrypted data a self-extracting archive.
Select this option to create the encrypted file as a self-extracting archive. Self-extracting archives may be opened on devices that do not have File Encryption agents.
Due to a Windows limitation, executable (self-extracting) files cannot be larger than 2 GB.
Note
Note
There is no functionality available for password recovery with self-extracting files. If a password is forgotten, the encrypted file cannot be recovered.

File Encryption Digital Certificate Encryption Parent topic

If you attempt to encrypt a file or folder using a digital certificate, the following screen displays:
arch_burn_cert.jpg
The options for this window are as follows:

Certificate Options

Option
Details
Certificates Store
Select a group from the drop-down list and click Gather Certificates to see a window with a list of certificates related to that group. From the Certificate Selection window, select a certificate and click OK to add that certificate to Selected Recipient Certificates.
Selected Recipient Certificates
View the list of currently selected certificates. These certificates will be required to open the encrypted file.
Click Clear to remove all certificates.
Important
Important
There is no available method to remove invidual certificates. If you must remove one or more certificates, remove all certificates, and add the required certificates again.
Burn using
Select the drive with the CD or DVD to write the encrypted file to. If you have not already done so, insert a writable CD or DVD with available free space.
This option is only available if you select Archive and Burn.