Encryption option greyed out?

[Aidan P]

I have Windows 8.1 and I cannot encrypt any of my files. The 'Encrypt contents to secure data' box is greyed out. I have tried downloading a reg-edit file which is supposed to fix the issue but it didn't do anything.

All help is appreciated.

 

[MarkW]

From what I can see on my system, you need to change the setting on a folder, and everything added to the folder will be encrypted.

I do not see any options on individual files to allow encryption at the file level.
I do see, and can check the Encryption box here.

 

[Aidan P]

From what I can see on my system, you need to change the setting on a folder, and everything added to the folder will be encrypted.

I do not see any options on individual files to allow encryption at the file level.
I do see, and can check the Encryption box here.

Sorry, bad wording on my part. I meant to say I cannot encrypt my folders, however I also cannot encrypt files.

 

[MarkW]

Did you check the compression checkbox above the encryption checkbox?

 

[Aidan P]

Nope, I've read that doing that prevents you being able to encrypt it. I've just been reading on the Windows help website that your computer must have 'InstantGo' to be able to encrypt. I can't find any mention of that on my computer so I'm guessing my PC can't do it. Oh well, I'm just going to hope that changes in Windows 10.

Thanks for your help none the less, appreciate it, have a good day my friend.

 

[MarkW]

That is why I asked...

TomsITPro Encrypting Files and Folders

 

[Paul NZ]

Looks like you need a TPM chip, if you want Instantgo.. So if you dont have a TPM chip you wont be able to use it

According]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InstantGo]According to this[/url]

On Windows 8.1, supporting InstantGo and having a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip will allow the device to use a passive device encryption system.

 

[MarkW]

Best I can tell, I do not have a TPM chip. Not even a header for it. I downloaded the manual, and the letters TPM are nowhere in the manual. I have checked multiple ASRock pages on my motherboard, again, TPM is not mentioned.

I am running Windows 8.1, and I do have the option to encrypt folders.

 

[Paul NZ]

Whats the mobo?? The other build here has it, and it does have a TPM chip on it. Got it off Ebay

 

[MarkW]

ASRock Z87 Fatal1ty Killer
I5-4670K CPU

 

[Paul NZ]

Yup doesnt say its got TPM under connectors on the site

 

[MarkW]

So I set the folder to encrypt, went through the certificate wizard backup process.

The folder with the green text is the encrypted one...

Then I dropped a file into that folder, and it did encrypt the file. Then I copied the same file to another drive, and it was still encrypted there. And then I removed the files encrypted flag, and it did decrypt it.

So it is working.

Now the mystery is how is it working...

 

[Paul NZ]

That probably isnt the same as bitlocker which is what TPM's are used for