How to use the Windows command line to encrypt files

In the digital age, it is important to protect your data against unauthorized misuse. One way to keep your PC data safe is to encrypt important files. Windows users can use the command line tool to secure their files and protect them from unauthorized access. In this article, we will see how to use the Windows command line to encrypt files.

What is encryption?

In short, encryption keeps data safe by obfuscating it so that it is not usable by unauthorized persons. Data is encrypted and protected using special algorithms that convert it to encrypted text.

Encryption ensures that unauthorized persons can not access data that is not intended for them; Therefore, encryption is an important option to protect secure communications and prevent data breaches. Decryption is the reverse process of cryptography, which converts obscure encrypted text into plain human-readable text.

There are two main types of encryption: Symmetric encryption; ۲. Asymmetric encryption. Asymmetric encryption for encrypting and decrypting data from a public key and a private key; But symmetric encryption uses only one key.

Encrypted data will remain secure even if it is openly accessible. However, if the malicious person holds the decryption keys and succeeds in decrypting your data, your data will be compromised.

How to encrypt files using the command line

In Windows, you can encrypt files using the command line and the cipher command. To do this, follow these steps:

• Search for the command line in the Start menu search bar and double-click it to run it.
• Now you need to change the directory to the folder containing your files. For example, if you want to encrypt files in a test folder on your desktop, you must use the command Desktop Test cd.
• Then cipher / e Type. This encrypts your files. Windows should show you a confirmation message stating that the job was done successfully.

Important Note: If you are using a Windows 10 Home license, you will not be able to encrypt files using the command line. Encryption tools are only supported on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise licenses.

How to decrypt files using the command line

The steps to decrypt encrypted files are almost the same:

• Run the command line from the Start menu.
• Change the directory to the required folder.
• Files using the command cipher / d Decode.
• The command line now decrypts your files and displays a confirmation message.

If you are afraid that your data may be compromised, encrypting files is a good idea. While encrypting files on the command line is not ideal, it is an accessible and simple option that you can always access. If you have experience in this field, share it with us and other users.