Windows 7: Encrypt and Decrypt - Add to Context Menu

   Information

This will allow you to add Encrypt and Decrypt to the context menu so that you can encrypt or decrypt a file or folder by simply right clicking on the item and selecting Encrypt or Decrypt.

   Note

Encrypting folders and files is a way to protect them from unwanted access. Encrypting a file or folder will prevent other user accounts from being able to open it. Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that you can use to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure.

Encrypting File System (EFS) is only available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

   Tip

If this is the first time that you have encrypted a file or folder on your computer, then you will also see this in your notification area to let you know that you should Back up your file encryption key.

OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download

1. To Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Add_Encrypt-Decrypt.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Remove_Encrypt-Decrypt.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run, Yes, Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you would like to.

OPTION TWO

Manually Using the Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, the type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, go to: (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. To Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on a empty space and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value and type EncryptionContextMenu and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

B) In the right pane, right click on EncryptionContextMenu and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

C) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

D) Go to step 6.

5. To Remove Encrypt and Decrypt

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on EncryptionContextMenu and click on Delete. (see screenshot below step 4)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.

6. Close regedit.