How to Copy and Paste Encrypted Files

Computer users encrypt files to prevent unauthorized users from reading or changing the files. You can specify additional users for files in Windows XP and later operating systems, but not for Windows 2000. You can move encrypted files to another area or volume of your computer if they are using the NTFS. FAT32 file systems do not support file encryption, so if you are moving the file to this type system, you will need to decrypt the file before moving it.

Instructions

1. Copy the file you want to move. Right-click on the file you want to copy and select "Copy" from the drop-down menu.

2. Open the folder where you want to place the file. If the folder you want to place the file in is in your Document folder, click "Start," click on "My Documents" and open the folder.

3. Click in the folder's white space with your right mouse button and choose "Paste" from the drop-down menu.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are saving the encrypted file to removable media, you will also need to copy the private keys for the file.

• If you move a file into an encrypted folder, the file will be encrypted whether you have specifically encrypted it or not.

• Moving an encrypted file into a non-encrypted folder will not decrypt the file.

• Microsoft recommends folder encryption instead of individual file encryption.

• Encrypting your files does not prevent them from being deleted by unauthorized users if they have the proper permissions.

• Moving a file does not remove the encryption, so it is not an appropriate method for file retrieval if you have lost the decryption key.

References

• Microsoft Support: Best Practices for the Encrypting File System.
• Microsoft Support: Error Message Moving Encrypted File
• Microsoft.com: Encrypting File System Overview

Resources

• Microsoft Support: How to Remove File or Folder Encryption in Windows XP