"Encrypt contents to secure data" is greyed out

[William Pine]

I'm running XP Home.

I navigated to My Document\My Pictures\<target folder>. I selected
properties\general tab\attributes\advanced. When I clicked advanced, the
command "Encrypt contents to secure data" was grayed out (inactive), so I
couldn't encrypt anything.

Can anyone instruct me how to activate the encryption command?

Here is some other possibly relevant info:

The folder to encrypt is a subfolder of a folder for which sharing is
denied.

When I changed sharing permission on a folder by moving it to C:\Documents
and Setting\All Users\Shared Documents, the encrypt command remained
inactive.

The encryption command is grayed out both for a subfolder of <My Document>
containing only .jpg files and for a folder, C:\Letters, containing only
Word documents.

Also, I read in a Microsoft How-to article that folders with system
attributes and folders in the root structure cannot be encrypted. How do I
determine if a folder has system attributes, and if it does, determine if
system attributes are necessary for that folder, and if not, remove the
system attributes? What does it mean for a file to be "in the root
structure," and where can I put a folder that is not in the root structure?

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308989
HOW TO: Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP

Quote: The EFS feature is not included in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Hi William,

The link to the Security Console is just for those who might find it useful in restricting what users on their computer can do.

Unfortunately, I don't use any encryption, other than what's built into Windows XP, so I can't make an referrals. But, with that said, any time you encrypt files and folders, make sure there's a method for undoing it, just in case..................

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Doug:

Thanks for saving me hours of trying to activate the EFS function.

I looked at all of the screen shots for your XP Security Console. I didn't
see how to encrypt files on any of the consoles. Did I misunderstand
something? Did you provide the link as a courtesy, just in case I could use
the functions the control panel affords even though it doesn't address my
underlying wish to encrypt folders?

Also, can anyone suggest an application that will encryt whole folders and
all of the contained files and work on any file format?

Hi

Some 3rd party solutions that might do what you want
are listed here:

http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm#encryption

 

[DBrock4316]

Encryption is NOT supported in Windows 7 Home Edition. You will have to use a third party application.