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Windows EFS Encryption

The Pro edition of Windows 10, the EFS (Encrypting File System) system is designed to support file encryption. You can encrypt any file by right clicking on it, selecting 'Properties', on the 'General' tab, clicking on 'Advanced' and then checking off 'Encrypt contents to secure data'.


If this checkbox is grayed out, open the Registry Editor, and at: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem set the value of 'NtfsDisableEncryption' to 1. Then reboot your PC.



If this does not work, in admin mode of command prompt run this command:

fsutil behavior set disableencryption 1




Also run 'sevices.msc', and find Encrypting File System in the menu. Right click on it and select Properties. Then select the startup type to 'Automatic'.



Reboot your PC after making these changes.


Sean O'Shea has more than 20 years of experience in the litigation support field with major law firms in New York and San Francisco.   He is an ACEDS Certified eDiscovery Specialist and a Relativity Certified Administrator.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the owner and do not reflect the views or opinions of the owner’s employer.

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