Encrypt/decrypt files

There are two ways for encrypting a file or a folder: With a key from the Keys Database or by providing a passphrase as a key.

Using a key from the Keys Database

To encrypt a file or a folder using the default key from the Keys Database, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Explorer, right click over the file or the folder to be encrypted;
• Choose the option "EAESCrypt" and then "Encrypt using the default key";
• Wait for the encrypted file to be created.

EAESCrypt generates an encrypted output file with the same name as the input, followed by the suffix ".eaes". The original file or folder still remains intact at the same place.

In order to do the encryption, EAESCrypt uses the default key stored in the Keys Database. See the section "The Keys Database" for more details about the default key.

Using a passphrase

To encrypt a file or a folder using a passphrase, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Explorer, right click over the file or the folder to be encrypted;
• Choose the option "EAESCrypt" and then "Encrypt providing a passphrase";
• Enter with the secret passphrase then press ENTER
• Reenter with the same passphrase. EAESCrypt will check it and proceed only if you enter with the same passphrase again.
• Wait for the encrypted file to be created.

Decrypting an encrypted file

To decrypt a file, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Explorer, double click the file to be decrypted;
• If the file has been encrypted with a passphrase, EAESCrypt will ask you to enter with the correct passphrase. In this case, enter with the secret passphrase then press ENTER
• Wait for the file to be decrypted.

EAESCrypt restores the original folder structure and the corresponding files with their original name, even if the encrypted file has been renamed.

If the encryption has been done using the default key from the Keys Database, EAESCrypt then seeks for this key in the Keys Database. The decryption is done only if the correct key has been found.

If the key is not stored in the keys database, you must insert it from a key file. Refer to the section "Inserting a key" for more information about inserting a key into the Keys Database from a key file.

Decrypting a file with an older version

EAESCrypt version 2.01 is not compatible with files generated by versions previous to 2.00. To restore files encrypted by versions previous to 2.00, you must have installed the Compatibility Package. Refer to the section Installation for more information about installing the Compatibility Package.

To decrypt a file with an older version, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Explorer, right click over the encrypted file (which has the suffix ".eaes")
• Choose the option "EAESCrypt" and then "Compatibility pack : Decrypt with older version"
• Wait for the file to be decrypted.