How to decrypt files and folders on Windows 10
But there is a caveat: You may also want to access these files in the future. And this is where you will need to decode.
In fact, sometimes files will be encrypted without permission, such as when attacked by malware. Fortunately, there are ways to recover such encrypted files. Join TipsMake.com to find out more details through the following article!
1. Decrypt files with Command Prompt
You can decrypt your encrypted files and folders on Windows using Command Prompt, a command line interpreter called cmd.exe or cmd.
This works if you have previously encrypted the file with the Cipher command and you are using the same PC with the same version of Windows as when encrypting. If you are using another PC or you have recently reinstalled Windows, you cannot decrypt your files this way.
To get started, open Command Prompt with admin rights. Now it's time to run some code and decrypt the files. To decrypt only the parent directory, enter the following command:
cipher /d 'Path'
To decrypt a directory with all its subdirectories and files, use the following command, replacing "path" with the full path of the directory you want to decrypt:
cipher /d /s:"Path"
2. Decrypt files from Properties
If you have encrypted your files with EFS, you can easily decrypt them from the Properties section . Right-click the encrypted file and select Properties.
In the General tab , select Advanced. Now, uncheck the Encrypt contents to secure data box and click OK. You will see another dialog box with 1 of 2 options: Apply changes to this folder or Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files .
Select any options you want and press OK. The files will be decrypted after a few seconds.
3. Remove Malware Using Windows Defender
The above methods will help if you have encrypted your files from scratch. But what if you don't do the encryption? Sometimes, a malware attack will encrypt files without your permission, leaving you unable to access your files.
In the worst case scenario, you are dealing with a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a specific type of malware that blocks access to a device or some specific information and then demands a ransom to unlock it.
In this article, TipsMake.com will focus on malware that still lets you log into your PC. If you can't log in and suspect you're experiencing ransomware, check out our guide on what ransomware is and how to remove it. This guide will lead you to some ransomware decryption tools that can unlock your files again.
To remove common malware, you should scan your PC with Windows Defender. To get started, open Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Defender . From there, click Open Windows Defender Security Center .
Next, click Virus and Threat Protection > Quick Scan . Windows Defender will quickly scan your PC for problems. You can also run a complete scan.
If the problem persists, try one of the best free antivirus solutions and see if it finds anything.
When the antivirus finds malware, write down the name of the virus. Then, search online for a decryption tool for that type of malware. Unfortunately, you cannot decrypt the files yourself, so you need to seek professional help to unlock your files.
Hope you are succesful.
You should read it
- What is SD card encryption? How to Encrypt and Decrypt SD Card
- How to Encode and Decode Messages Using Base64 and Python
- 50 Registry tricks to help you become a true Windows 7 / Vista 'hacker' (Part 4)
- How to encrypt files on Google Drive with Syncrypto
- How to easily encrypt a file without a password using Cloak Encrypt
- How to decrypt encrypted files, recover data encrypted by Ransomware
- List of file names, HASH SHA-256 codes containing WannaCry malware
- What is BBBW Malware? How to remove and restore data?
May be interested
- How to interact with files and contacts in Gomastering how to use the file system with the useful functions below will greatly help your work. here's how to interact with files and folders in go .
- How to delete files and folders on Dropboxafter a long time using dropbox leads to more and more storage space on dropbox. you should clean up dropbox, delete files or folders that are no longer in use.
- 5 Windows files and folders can be deleted to free up spacewindows contains many unnecessary files and folders from hidden cache, old files you can delete them to free up space. but to know whether it is safe to delete folders and files is safe.
- How to compress and decompress files and folders on a Macon the mac, there is a built-in tool to compress and decompress files and folders that users do not need to install the application, if only the basic compression and decompression features.
- How to bookmark folders on Windows 10if you organize your folders, you won't have to struggle to find important files. you can bookmark your favorite folders in windows 10 for easy access. here are a few ways you can do that.
- Restore hidden folders in Windows when infectedin many cases it is often the virus that attacks the system's hidden folders that cannot be displayed even if you have enabled the 'show hidden files and folders' option in folder options. some of the following methods will help solve this problem.
- How to Create and Delete Files or Folders from Windows Command Promptthis article shows you how to use command prompt on windows to create and delete files and folders (also known as directories). files you create from command prompt can be edited and managed with windows applications, including file manager and text editors.
- Set pass for Folder, set password to protect folder without softwareto set a pass for the folder, you can use the small but safe trick we introduced below instead of installing the password setting software for the directory.
- How to create symbolic links in Windowsdo you want to easily access files and folders from other folders without having to maintain a copy of the files and folders to open?
- What does the red 'X' on Windows folders mean?do you see a red circle with a white cross to the left of your windows files, folders, or drives? if so, it means onedrive isn't syncing and the folders affected by this issue aren't syncing properly.