How to encrypt a file in Windows XP

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How to encrypt a file in Windows XP


Source Link = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307877


How to Encrypt a File

You can encrypt files only on volumes that are formatted with the NTFS file system. To encrypt a file:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the file that you want, right-click the file, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click Advanced.
4. Under Compress or Encrypt attributes, select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, and then click OK.
5. Click OK. If the file is located in an unencrypted folder, you receive an Encryption Warning dialog box. Use one of the following steps:
   • If you want to encrypt only the file, click Encrypt the file only, and then click OK.
   • If you want to encrypt the file and the folder in which it is located, click Encrypt the file and the parent folder, and then click OK.

If another user attempts to open an encrypted file, that user is unable to do so. For example, if another user attempts to open an encrypted Microsoft Word document, that user receives a message similar to: Word cannot open the document: username does not have access privileges(drive:\filename.doc)





If another user attempts to copy or move an encrypted document to another location on the hard disk, the following message appears: Error Copying File or Folder
Cannot copy filename: Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.