How to encrypt documents and files in Windows 10 without third-party applications to improve security on our PC

With the amount of data that passes through our computers, security and privacy are two aspects that we are paying more and more attention to. In the case of our Windows PC, we have a tool that allows us to encrypt files, documents and folders and do it without third-party tools.

A more than practical measure, whether we are simply cautious or if we share the PC with another person. A way to limit the fact that sensitive information can be seen by anyone, very easy to apply in a few steps.

Protected from prying eyes

The goal of this tutorial is to learn how to encrypt your files to protect them, something that will only require a few simple steps. In this way, the data we have encrypted cannot be read on another PC.

The first step to encrypt a document or file is to situate ourselves on the item on which we want to work. We will click with the right mouse button on it to access a new window in which we can see different options appear.

"

Of all the options we must look at one with the text Properties and clicking on it will open a new window in which we must select the tab General."

"

A window offers data related to the file. So we can see the size or the date of creation, but we must look for the section Advanced options that appears at the end of the list. We look for it and click on it."

"

We will see how a window is displayed with different options from which we will choose the option Encrypt content to protect the data. It is the one that allows you to encrypt the file and once we activate it click on Accept."

We will see a warning message appear regarding file encryption. It asks us if we want to apply the change to that folder only or to all subfolders and files (this is the most advisable option).

Once the file or folder is encrypted (depending on the size it may take more or less time), already protected documents will be marked with a lock iconin their preview and will only be accessible to the user who encrypted them.

"

If at any given time we want to revert the changes, we only have to carry out the same steps but now choosing the option Unblock> "

With these steps we have our files a little more protected and without the need to resort to third-party applications thanks to the tools that Windows incorporates .