{"id":1653,"date":"2022-10-27T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T10:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=1653"},"modified":"2022-10-26T19:32:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T11:32:38","slug":"how-to-encrypt-data-or-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Encrypt Files and Documents in Windows 11"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your computer holds different documents and files, many of which are of private or sensitive nature. Even if you\u2019re the only one who uses the computer, it is important to keep your documents secure \u2013 just to be safe.<\/p>\n<p>The solution is to encrypt or password-protect your documents and folders to keep them from unauthorized access. And this is what we\u2019re going to discuss today.<\/p>\n<p>In this post, we will walk you through different methods of encrypting your documents and folders on a Windows 11 computer. These methods include using <a href=\"#native_tool\">Windows 11 native tools<\/a>, through <a href=\"#onedrive\">cloud storage<\/a>, or using <a href=\"#7zip\">third-party apps<\/a>. Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ref-block ref-block--post\" id=\"ref-post-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/remove-windows-11-junk-files\/\" class=\"ref-block__link\" title=\"Read More: Removing Junk Files in Windows 11\" rel=\"bookmark\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Removing Junk Files in Windows 11<\/span><\/a>\n<div class=\"ref-block__thumbnail img-thumb img-thumb--jumbo\" data-img='{ \"src\" : \"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/thumbs\/250x160\/remove-windows-11-junk-files.jpg\" }'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<noscript>\n<style>.no-js #ref-block-post-62427 .ref-block__thumbnail { background-image: url(\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/thumbs\/250x160\/remove-windows-11-junk-files.jpg\"); }<\/style>\n<\/noscript>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ref-block__summary\">\n<h4 class=\"ref-title\">Removing Junk Files in Windows 11<\/h4>\n<p class=\"ref-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThere can be many reasons for slowing down your Windows computers, and one such reason is junk files....\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"native_tool\">1. Encrypt with a native tool<\/h2>\n<p>This is perhaps one of the easiest methods to encrypt files in Windows 11. First, go to the location of your file or folder you want to protect, then follow these steps below:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Right-click on the file\/folder, go to <strong>Properties<\/strong> and then select <strong>Advanced<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Place a tick mark on the option, <strong>Encrypt contents to secure data<\/strong>, and click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>If you try password-protecting a data file, you will view an encryption caution. We suggest choosing the radio button marked <strong>Encrypt the file and its parent folder<\/strong> and click OK.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Now, whoever tries to open them from a separate account will face a <em>\u201cYou do not have permission to open this file\u201d<\/em> error.<\/p>\n<p>If you use this feature for the first time, you will get a prompt to back up the encryption key.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <strong>Back up Now<\/strong> and follow the prompts you will see on the screen.<\/li>\n<li>Place a mark on the Password box available in <strong>Certificate Export Wizard<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Type in a unique and strong password, then confirm it.<\/li>\n<li>Pick the encryption type, or go with the default one,  then click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Lastly, put a certificate name. You need to use this certificate along with the password to retrieve the file or folder in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"7zip\">2. Encrypt with 7-Zip app<\/h2>\n<p>You must have used 7-Zip before or at least heard of it. It is one of the top tools to encrypt your files in Windows 11.<\/p>\n<p>It supports the <strong>latest AES-256 bit encryption<\/strong> to safeguard the files and folders in Windows 11, so breaking the password and accessing files becomes almost impossible.<\/p>\n<p>However, all the encrypted files are visible, meaning anyone can delete them. Here\u2019s how to encrypt files with 7-Zip.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Download the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.7-zip.org\/download.html\">7-Zip app<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>To password-protect a file\/folder, right-click on it and choose <strong>Show more options<\/strong> from the context menu.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/1-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"467\" height=\"524\"><\/figure>\n<li>Go to <strong>7-Zip<\/strong> and click on <strong>Add to archive<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/2-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><\/figure>\n<li>In the new window choose <strong>Compression level<\/strong> from the drop-down menu and pick <strong>Store<\/strong>. Under the <strong>Encryption<\/strong> section, put the password to protect the file\/folder. It is possible to enable <strong>Delete files after compression<\/strong> if you wish to delete the common file after encryption. Now, click  <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/3-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"541\"><\/figure>\n<li>A file with a <span class=\"format\">.7z<\/span> extension will be created in a similar folder, which will be password-protected, meaning you cannot access the file without entering the password.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/4-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><\/figure>\n<li>You can also hide it with a right-click on the file, and selecting <strong>Properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/5-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><\/figure>\n<li>Enable the <strong>Hidden<\/strong> checkbox.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/6-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><\/figure>\n<li>To display hidden files in Windows 11, tap on <strong>View  Show &gt; Hidden items<\/strong>. That\u2019s it, your files will be hidden from anyone without authentication.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/7-encrypt-files-windows-11-7-zip.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows 7 zip\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><\/figure>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"onedrive\">3. Encrypt with OneDrive<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to encrypt your files\/folders locally as well as on the cloud, then OneDrive may be the best candidate. It supports a helpful feature called the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/onedrive\/personal-vault\">Personal Vault<\/a>, to store your essential files, folders, and documents.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s unique about OneDrive\u2019s Personal Vault is that when you attempt to open it, you will require a 2FA code sent to your email account.<\/p>\n<p>After entering the code, you can open the files within Personal Vault. Following the instructions below to encrypt files via OneDrive.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>OneDrive should be, by default, installed in Windows 11. Otherwise. you can <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-in\/microsoft-365\/onedrive\/download\">download it here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Go to the Taskbar and access OneDrive from the system tray. Here, click on the <strong>settings<\/strong> and pick <strong>Unlock Personal Vault<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/8-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"287\" height=\"560\"><\/figure>\n<li>Click on <strong>Next<\/strong>, followed by setting up Personal Vault in your OneDrive folder.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/9-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"444\" height=\"560\"><\/figure>\n<li>Open OneDrive, scroll down to <strong>Personal Vault<\/strong> and open it.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/10-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"640\" height=\"407\"><\/figure>\n<li>Enter the two-factor authentication code sent to your mail ID, and you will be able to access the Vault.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/11-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"444\" height=\"560\"><\/figure>\n<li>Here you can store all your sensitive files, folders, and documents.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/12-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"640\" height=\"407\"><\/figure>\n<li>After 20 minutes of idleness, the Vault will be locked automatically.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/13-encrypt-files-windows-11-onedrive.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows onedrive\" width=\"634\" height=\"554\"><\/figure>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"pp_msoffice\">4. Password-protect MS Office Docs in Windows 11<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to password-protect your Office Word documents, Excel sheets, and PowerPoint presentations in Windows 11, you can take advantage of the security feature of MS office.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>To begin with, open the MS Office document and click on <strong>File<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Now, go to <strong>Info<\/strong> and then on <strong>Protect Document<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Choose <strong>Encrypt with Password<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Once you do that, enter the password, followed by a click on <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> It would be impossible to access the file without its password, so write it down somewhere.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"bitlocker\">5. Encrypt Drives in Windows 11 with BitLocker Encryption<\/h2>\n<p>Microsoft provides <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/security\/information-protection\/bitlocker\/bitlocker-device-encryption-overview-windows-10\">Bitlocker encryption<\/a> exclusively for drives on some versions, including <strong>Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education<\/strong>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>This security feature helps stop data theft via recovery if your hard drive or laptop gets stolen.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some simple steps to password-protect drives with BitLocker encryption:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <strong>Start<\/strong> and click on <strong>Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/14-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Here, choose <strong>System<\/strong>, then click on <strong>Storage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/15-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Under Storage, go to <strong>Advanced Storage Settings<\/strong>, which you can see in the Storage Management section, then choose <strong>Disks & volumes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/16-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Pick the drive you want to encrypt with BitLocker, then click on <strong>Properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/17-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Turn on BitLocker under the <strong>BitLocker<\/strong> section.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/18-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Click on <strong>Turn on BitLocker<\/strong> next to your chosen drive to encrypt with BitLocker.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/19-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>After a few system checks, choose how you wish to back up the recovery key. You can store it with the option to save it to a file, save it to your MS account, or print the recovery key.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The recovery key is crucial for recovering your data even if you don\u2019t have the password. You can\u2019t access your files if you forget or lose your password and don\u2019t know the recovery key.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Once your recovery key is stored, click on <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Encrypt used space only<\/strong> and click on <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/20-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"635\"><\/figure>\n<li>You\u2019ll need to define your encryption mode. For the most suitable security, choose the <strong>New encryption mode<\/strong> as the proposed one, then click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/21-encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"635\"><\/figure>\n<li>Now, check <strong>Run BitLocker system check<\/strong>, and click <strong>Continue<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/encrypt-files-windows-11-bitlocker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows bitlocker\" width=\"800\" height=\"634\"><\/figure>\n<li>To finish the check and BitLocker encryption procedure, restart Windows 11.<\/li>\n<li>After your PC restarts, sign in and let BitLocker encrypt your PC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"winrar\">6. Encrypt with WinRAR<\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.win-rar.com\/\">WinRAR<\/a>, yet another famous file archiver tool, can also be used to password-protect a folder. For this, first, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.win-rar.com\/download.html?&L=0\">download and install WinRAR<\/a> and then follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to your file\/folder location and right-click on it.<\/li>\n<li>Choose WinRAR and click on <strong>Add to archive\u2026<\/strong><\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/22-encrypt-files-windows-11-winrar.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>On the General tab, check the mark <strong>Delete files after archiving<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/23-encrypt-files-windows-11-winrar.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Click on <strong>Set password<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/24-encrypt-files-windows-11-winrar.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Put a password under the <strong>Enter password<\/strong>, box. Plus, type in the same similar password in <strong>Re Enter password for verification<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>OK<\/strong> two times. That\u2019s all.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/25-encrypt-files-windows-11-winrar.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"easyfilelocker\">7. Encrypt with Easy File Locker<\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/xoslab.com\/efl.html\">Easy File Locker<\/a> by XOSLab is another well-known freeware program to password-protect any file and\/or folder you wish.<\/p>\n<p>After downloading and installing the tool, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Launch Easy File Locker and click on <strong>System &gt; Set password &gt; Confirm the password<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/26-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Click on <strong>Files & Folder &gt; Add Folder<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/27-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Unmark <strong>Accessible<\/strong> and check <strong>Visible<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/28-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Here, click on three dots and go to the Folder you wish to protect with the password.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/29-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Choose the Folder, followed by clicking on <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/30-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>It will become inaccessible now.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To delete files or folders from Easy File Locker\u2019s protection:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Choose respective file or folder.<\/li>\n<li>Click on <strong>Files & Folder &gt; Remove<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<figure class=\"screenshot-mobile-portrait\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"encrypt-files-windows-11\/31-encrypt-files-easy-file-locker.jpg\" alt=\"encrypt files windows winrar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"><\/figure>\n<li>Finally, click <strong>Yes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your computer holds different documents and files, many of which are of private or sensitive nature. Even if you\u2019re the only one who uses the computer, it is important to keep your documents secure \u2013 just to be safe. The solution is to encrypt or password-protect your documents and folders to keep them from unauthorized&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3397],"tags":[925,171,4601,4608],"topic":[4521],"class_list":["entry-content","is-maxi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.8 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Encrypt Files and Documents in Windows 11 - Hongkiat<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your computer holds different documents and files, many of which are of private or sensitive nature. Even if you&#039;re the only one who uses the computer, it\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/how-to-encrypt-data-or-files\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Encrypt Files and Documents in Windows 11\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your computer holds different documents and files, many of which are of private or sensitive nature. 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