This wikiHow teaches you how to securely share important documents with others on a Windows or MacOS computer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Password Protecting a Microsoft Word Document (Windows and Mac)
Step 1. Open the document in Microsoft Word
The fastest way to open a document is to double-click its name.
Step 2. Click the File menu
It's in the upper-left corner of the window (or in the menu bar on a Mac).
Step 3. Click Info
Step 4. Click Protect Document
Step 5. Click Encrypt with Password
Step 6. Create and confirm a document password
Follow the on-screen instructions to type and confirm the password that will protect the document.
Step 7. Save the file
Click the menu " File " and select " Save ” to save the new version of the document.
Step 8. Send the document to someone else
Once the file is password protected, you can send it in a number of ways:
- Attach documents to emails in Gmail, Outlook, or Mac Mail.
- Add files to an internet storage space (cloud drive) such as Google Drive, iCloud Drive, or Dropbox.
Method 2 of 4: Attaching Files to Encrypted Messages in Outlook (Windows and Mac)
Step 1. Open Outlook on your PC or Mac computer
Usually, this application is stored in the “ All Apps ” in the “Start” menu (Windows) and the “ Applications ” on a MacOS computer.
Step 2. Click New Email
It's an envelope icon in the upper-left corner of the window.
Step 3. Click the File menu
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
If you are using Outlook 2010, click the “ Options, then select " More Options ”.
Step 4. Click Properties
If you are using Outlook 2010, move on to the next step.
Step 5. Click Security settings
Step 6. Check the box next to “Encrypt message contents and attachments”
Step 7. Click OK
Now, the message will be encrypted.
Step 8. Click Close
Once the encryption settings are set, you can compose the email.
Step 9. Enter the recipient, subject and body of the message
Step 10. Click Attach file
It's a paperclip icon at the top of the new message window. A computer file browsing window will appear.
Step 11. Select the attachment and click Open
The file will be attached to the message.
Step 12. Click Send
The message will be sent to the recipient you have specified.
Method 3 of 4: Encrypting Documents with EPS (Windows)
Step 1. Locate the files that need to be encrypted
An easy way to do this is to press the shortcut Win+E to open File Explorer, then double-click the folder containing the file.
Step 2. Right-click the file or folder
The context menu will be expanded.
Step 3. Click Properties
This option is the last option on the menu.
Step 4. Click Advanced
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 5. Check the box next to “Encrypt contents to secure data”
This option is the last option in the window.
Step 6. Click OK
If you select a folder, a confirmation message will be displayed.
Step 7. Select Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files
Step 8. Click OK
The selected file or folder will be encrypted. To access the file or folder, you need to enter Windows logon information.
Step 9. Send the encrypted document
- If you're only encrypting one file, you can attach it to an email. You can't compress a folder and send it by email.
- If you're encrypting a folder, upload it to an online storage space (cloud drive) such as Google Drive, iCloud Drive, or Dropbox. Once the folder is uploaded, use the storage service's built-in tools to share the files as you wish.
Method 4 of 4: Encrypting Documents with Disk Utility (Mac)
Step 1. Add the files that need to be encrypted to the folder
If you don't know how, read the article on how to create a new folder on your computer.
Step 2. Click the Go menu
This menu is at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Click Utilities
This option is at the bottom of the menu. A new Finder window will open.
Step 4. Double-click Disk Utility
The Disk Utility application will open after that.
Step 5. Click the File menu
It's in the menu bar in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 6. Hover over New
Another menu will be expanded.
Step 7. Click Image from folder
Step 8. Select the folder to be encrypted and click Choose
Step 9. Choose 128-bit or 256-bit from the “encryption” drop-down menu.
Step 10. Create a password
Enter the password for the folder in the “Password” field, then retype the same entry in the “Verify” field.
Step 11. Click Choose
Step 12. Click Save
Step 13. Click Done
The files in the folder are now encrypted. You can upload folders to an online storage space (cloud drive) such as Google Drive, iCloud Drive, or Dropbox. Once the folder is uploaded, use the storage service's built-in tools to send the files as you wish.
