How to enable or disable NTFS file encryption in Windows

Encrypting File System (EFS) is a built-in encryption tool for Windows that encrypts files and folders on NTFS drives for the purpose of protecting them from unwanted access. EFS allows encryption and decryption of transparent files for user accounts using advanced, standard encryption algorithms. Any individual or application without the proper file encryption key cannot open any encrypted files and folders. Encryption is the most powerful protection that Windows provides to its users to secure their files and folders.

This article will show you how to enable or disable NTFS file encryption for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.

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You need to login as an administrator to enable or disable NTFS file encryption.

Note: If NTFS file encryption is disabled, recently encrypted files are still encrypted.

Picture 1 of How to enable or disable NTFS file encryption in Windows

Method 1. Enable or disable NTFS file encryption in Local Group Policy Editor

Note: Local Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows 7/8/10 Pro, Windows 7/8/10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education editions.

All other versions can use the second way below.

Step 1 . Open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2 . In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below.

 Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemFilesystemNTFS

Picture 2 of How to enable or disable NTFS file encryption in Windows

Step 3 . In the right pane of NTFS in the Local Group Policy Editor, double-click the policy Do not allow encryption on all NTFS volumes to edit it.

Step 4.

To enable NTFS file encryption, select Not Configured or Disabled , then click OK .

Note : Not Configured is the default setting.

To disable NTFS file encryption, select Enabled and click OK .

Picture 3 of How to enable or disable NTFS file encryption in Windows

Step 5 . When finished, close Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 6 . Restart the computer to apply changes.

Method 2. Enable or disable NTFS file encryption using REG files

Note : The .reg file below will add and edit the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetPolicies

NtfsDisableEncryption DWORD

(delete) = Activate

1 = Disable

Step 1 . To enable NTFS file encryption, download the file according to the link below.

 https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/163380d1510424051-enable-disable-ntfs-file-encryption-windows-enable_ntfs_file_encryption.reg

Note: This is the default setting.

To disable NTFS file encryption, download the file according to the link below.

 https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/163381d1510424051-enable-disable-ntfs-file-encryption-windows-disable_ntfs_file_encryption.reg

Step 2 . Save the .reg file on the desktop.

Step 3 . Double click the .reg file to merge it.

Step 4 . When notified, click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes and OK to accept the merge.

Step 5 . Restart the computer to apply changes.

Step 6 . You can delete the .reg file if you want.

I wish you all success!

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