Change Encryption Level for File Sharing Connections in Windows 11 Tutorial (2024)

FAQs

How to enable file encryption in Windows 11? ›

The grayed out "Encrypt contents to secure data" option usually indicates that the feature is not available on your device. In Windows 11 Home, you can use the device encryption feature to encrypt your files and folders. Here's how to turn on device encryption: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & internet , and on the right side, select Sharing options. Under Private, select Turn on Network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. Under All Networks, select Turn off password protected sharing.

The Windows file sharing feature allows you to share files and printers across a local network. Windows uses 128-bit encryption for local sharing, but you can change the encryption level if you need to.

Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro both support automatic device encryption, with the Home version a more streamlined experience. You just have to sign into the machine with a Microsoft account, which nearly all people do during setup.

On both devices: Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Under All Networks, turn off password protected sharing. Click Save changes.

What happens if I turn off password protected sharing? ›

With Password Protected Sharing turned on, anyone with a local user account and password can access Public folders, shared files, and printers. With Password Protected Sharing turned off, you can share files with any users without an account and password.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption. If Device encryption doesn't appear, it isn't available.

If you have a Windows 10 Pro, or Windows 11 Pro device, with a dedicated external Trusted Platform Module (TPM), all of your encrypted data could easily be decrypted and read - all that's needed is a little brainpower, a $10 Raspberry Pi Pico, and physical access to the target endpoint.

In addition to the file extension, you might receive prompts asking for a password or decryption key when opening certain files. This is a strong indicator that the file is encrypted. The password or decryption key can unlock and access the encrypted data within the file.

Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey to find your recovery key. Tip: You can sign into your Microsoft account on any device with internet access, such as a smartphone.