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How to open encrypted files in Windows 10

6 min. read

Updated onJuly 12, 2024

updated onJuly 12, 2024

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Key notes

Windows has a built-in encryption utility that is meant to protect your files from being accessed through opening, reading, or modification by other users and/or computers.

This makes it easy for individuals and businesses alike tosecure their private and sensitive informationand files. However, opening such files requires an encryption key, plus you have to be logged in as an administrator.

With encryption keys all around us today, there’s a need to protect our sensitive and private data and information, so this is the best way to do it.

But the question most people will ask is how toopen encrypted filesbecause once these are protected with a password, there are only a few ways that can open it, besides knowing the password.

So if you don’t know the password of the encrypted file, you forgot or just don’t have it, we’ll show you how to open encrypted files in Windows 10.

How to open encrypted files in Windows 10

1. Use a dedicated program

There are different programs used to encrypt files that marked afterward so that you know that they are password-protected. The encrypted files can be opened, but you sometimes have to use the same programs that encrypted them.

WinZipis one such program, and one of the most popular.

The encryption option allows you to zip your files with certified 128- or 256-bit AES encryption, keeping your files safe from unwanted eyes. Plus, with WinZip, you can create read-only PDFs and add watermarks to deter copying.

However, to open an encrypted WinZip file you will also need the password. WinZip can’t help with the recovery of lost zip file passwords.

If you’re using the 256-bit AES encryption method, there is no other way of opening the file other than knowing the password. For the 128-bit or weak Zip 2.0 (Legacy) encryption, you can try using a password recovery tool available online.

Now, in order to avoid such an uncomfortable situation, we recommend havinga password managerat hand to keep all your codes and passwords.

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2. Use Certificate Manager

Looking to open TGZ files in Windows 10? Here’s how to do it

3. Convert the file then open it

If you usedEasyCryptoto encrypt a file, you won’t be able to convert it to any other format as the program doesn’t give a method of converting the files.

However, if you have any files that you want to be converted, and they’re inside the .encrypted file, decrypt them and then use a free file converter to change them.

4. Take ownership of the file or folder

Note:You can change the owner of all subcontainers and objects within the tree, by selecting theReplace owner on subcontainers and objectscheckbox. This is optional.

The owner of a file or folder controls the permissions set on the file/folder and to whom these are granted. The take ownership permission, or restore the files and directories user rights are the minimum requirements needed to perform this procedure.

An admin can take ownership of any file on the computer. However, assigning ownership may require you to elevate permissions by usingUser Access Control.

A user who has theRestore files and directoriesprivilege can double-clickOther users and groupsand choose any user or group to assign ownership to.

Note:The Everyone group no longer includes the Anonymous Logon group.

5. Grant access to the encrypted file

Speaking of encrypted files, we also have a great guide on how toconvert ENC fileinto another format, so you might want to check it out.

Are there other ways you use to open encrypted files in Windows 10? Let us know what works for you, and if the methods above helped, by leaving a comment in the section below.

How to open encrypted files in Windows 10#

How to open encrypted files in Windows 10#

1. Use a dedicated program#

”WinZip”#

2. Use Certificate Manager#

3. Convert the file then open it#

4. Take ownership of the file or folder#

5. Grant access to the encrypted file#

How to open encrypted files in Windows 10

How to open encrypted files in Windows 10

1. Use a dedicated program

”WinZip”

2. Use Certificate Manager

3. Convert the file then open it

4. Take ownership of the file or folder

5. Grant access to the encrypted file