Using AES Crypt on Windows

Directions for using AES Crypt (Windows)

After you've installed AES Crypt, you can encrypt and decrypt files on your Windows computer. Follow the video below, or use the step-by-step directions provided.

• Jump to Encryption
• Jump to Decryption

Encrypting a File

To encrypt a document with AES Crypt, you will need to ensure the AES Crypt software is installed on your computer.

1. Locate the file that needs to be encrypted.


2. Right click on the file and select the AES Encrypt option.
   


3. AES Crypt will then prompt for a password. Enter and confirm the password.
   
   • If you were given a password to encrypt the file with from IT, please use that password.
   • Choose a strong password that is impossible to guess. You are advised to use random letters, numbers, and symbols as your password. Consider using a password generator. to create a secure password.
   • To decrypt an encrypted file, you will need to remember the password you created. If the password gets lost, there is NO way for IT, or anyone, to decrypt the file. It will remain encrypted and inaccessible forever.


4. Click OK to finish the file encryption process.


5. AES Crypt will produce an encrypted file with the same name as the original file, but with an “.aes” extension.
   • You may not see the “.aes” extension if your folder options are set to hide known file extensions. The file icon will be the AES Crypt icon.
   


6. You are safe to delete the original file.

Decrypting a File

To decrypt a document with AES Crypt, you will need to ensure the AES Crypt software is installed on your computer.

1. Locate the file that needs to be decrypted. The encrypted file will have an “.aes” extension.
   • You may not see the “.aes” extension if your folder options are set to hide known file extensions. The file icon will be the AES Crypt icon.
   


2. Double click on the file, or right click on the file and select AES Decrypt.
   


3. You will be prompted to enter a password. This is the password that was set when the file was encrypted.
   • If the file was encrypted by IT, you will need to obtain the password by contacting the IT Support Center using the IT Help Request Form or by emailing askit@udel.edu
   


4. Enter the password and click OK. AES Crypt will decrypt the file and place the decrypted file in the same directory as the encrypted file. The decrypted file will not have the “.aes” file extension and you can open it like normal.