Windows 8 contains a built-in file encryption feature, called BitLocker, but only in the Pro or Enterprise versions. In addition, if your system does not have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), you must use an external USB flash drive with BitLocker for it to work.
RELATED: How to Encrypt and Password Protect Your USB Drives Without Extra Software
If you are concerned about other users of your system having access to your files, there has been a simple way to encrypt files and folders in every version of Windows since XP called Encrypted File Service (EFS). We will show you how to apply EFS to your files and folders.
NOTE: Files and folders you encrypt using EFS can only be decrypted using the Windows login that encrypted the file. Other users on the system will be able to see the files but will not be able to open them, even if they are running as administrator. That means that you also need to be careful you do not forget your login, or you will be locked out of your own files.
To encrypt a folder or a file, open File Explorer by clicking the File Explorer icon on the Taskbar if you are on the Desktop.
If you are on the Start screen, start typing “explorer” (without the quotes). The Search box displays and starts to list matches as you type. Click File Explorer in the list of results.
Select a file or folder to encrypt. For this example, we will use a folder. Right-click on the folder and select Properties from the popup menu.
On the General tab on the Properties dialog box, click the Advanced in the Attributes section.
On the Advanced Attributes dialog box, select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box and click OK.
Click OK on the Properties dialog box to close it.
The Confirm Attribute Changes dialog box displays. If you’re encrypting a folder, you are asked if you want to encrypt only the folder or the folder and all subfolders and files. Select the desired option and click OK. The Properties dialog box also closes.
The folder, or file, you encrypted displays in green text now. If you encrypted a folder and all its subfolders and files, any folders and files inside the main folder are also encrypted and displayed in green. Any files or folders you create in the main folder in the future are also encrypted.
You will also see a popup in the Notification Area on the Taskbar recommending that you backup your encryption key in case the original one is lost or corrupted. Click this popup to backup the key.
NOTE: If the popup message above disappeared before you could click it, click the Notification Area arrow and click the Encrypting File System icon.
On the Encrypting File System dialog box, click Back up now. If you’re not ready to back up the encryption certificate and key yet, you can select Back up later to be reminded the next time you log in. It is not recommended to Never back up the key.
Click Next on the first screen of the Certificate Export Wizard.
Accept the default selection for the file format for the exported encryption certificate and key and click Next.
Select the Password check box and enter a strong password in the Password edit box and again in the Confirm password edit box. Click Next.
On the File to Export screen, click Browse.
Navigate to the location where you want to save the encryption certificate and key file. You can save it on the hard drive initially, but be sure to move it to an external drive, such as a USB flash drive. Click Save.
The path to your file is entered in the File name edit box. Click Next.
A summary of your chosen settings displays on the final screen. Click Finish.
A dialog box displays saying the export was successful. Click OK to close it.
You can undo the encryption on encrypted files or folders by selecting Properties for the files or folders and turning off the Encrypt contents to secure data option described in this article.
RELATED: How to Secure Sensitive Files on Your PC with VeraCrypt
You can also use the free tool TrueCrypt to protect your data and even to hide data in a hidden volume within a TrueCrypt volume.
