How to Fix Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with the Encrypted File System (EFS) that allows users to encrypt their data in a single folder or drive. This is particularly useful if you want to keep your data confidential or in such a way that it can only be accessed from your Windows account. No one else can open encrypted files or folders. In this feature, I will show 4 different methods to fix encrypt contents to secure data greyed out in Windows 10.

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Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out in Windows 10

EFS is available for all versions of Windows 10, except for Windows 10 Home Edition. The EFS option is very easy to access by going to the Properties of a specific folder and checking the checkbox that says “Encrypt Contents To Secure Information” in the Advanced tab.

However, more and more computer users would like to encrypt the files and data. But some computer users complain that they have met the issue encrypt contents to secure data greyed out when encrypting a file in Windows 10.

How to Fix Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out in Windows 10

If you’re facing this problem “Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out” then here, I will provide you 4 methods to fix “Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out” in Windows 10. However, as I said earlier, Encryption File System (EFS) is available for all versions of Windows 10, except for Windows 10 Home Edition. So, if you’re using Windows 10 Home Edition, you might face this issue. Meanwhile, For Windows 10 Pro user, these 4 methods can be useful to fix “Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out” in Windows 10. Without further ado, let’s begin.

Method #1: Enable EFS Using Windows Registry

The encryption option may be greyed out because some registry values are not set correctly. Follow the steps below to fix this.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open Run and then type “regedit” in it to open the Registry Editor window.

Step 2. Now navigate to the following entry in the Registry Editor window.

<HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem> 

Step 3. Expand File System key to the right-hand window, and look for the key named NtfsDisableEncryption. Double click on it, and set its value to 0. Click OK to save the settings.

Go back to the folder which you want to encrypt and click the “Properties\Advanced\Advance Attribute” option. The option of encryption will no longer be greyed out. Encrypt contents to secure data are also available in Windows 7.

Method #2: Enable EFS Using Command line

You can also use the Windows Command line to make the encryption option available to you for any folder on your computer. All you have to do is run a simple and quick command and your question will be resolved quickly. Follow the steps below to fix this.

Step 1. Type Command Prompt is the Search box then open Command Prompt window as an administrator.

Step 2. Type the following command in it and then press Enter key.

fsutil behavior set disableencryption 0 

Step 3. Reboot your PC to save changes.

Once the system restart, the encryption option in the Advanced Attribute window will be available.

Method #3: Set Encrypting File System to Automatic

Now, I am going to introduce the third method to solve the encrypt contents to secure data greyed out in Windows 10. In addition, the key operations of the third method are to set the Encrypting File System to Automatic. Follow the steps below to fix this.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open Run and then type “services.msc” in it then press Enter or OK.

Step 2. Then find out the Encrypting File System (EFS) then double-click it to continue.

Step 3. In the Encrypting File System Properties window, you need to go to the General tab. Then change the Startup type to Automatic. After that, click OK to continue. ut

After that, you can reboot your computer to check whether file encryption Windows 10 issue is solved.

Method #4: Enable EFS Using Local Group Policy Editor

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open Run and then type “gpedit.msc” in it then press Enter or OK to open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Navigate to:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Filesystem\NTFS

Step 3. In the right pane, double-click on the “Do not allow encryption on all NTFS volumes” policy to edit it.

Step 4. Select Disabled and click OK.t

Reboot your computer for the policy to take effect. The option “encrypt contents to secure data” shouldn’t be greyed out and you will be able to encrypt or decrypt folders/files with EFS in Windows 10.

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Conclusion

That’s it! This feature was about How to Fix Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out in Windows 10. First of all check your Windows 10 version. If you’re are using Windows 10 Home Edition then EFS won’t be available. However, if you are using Windows 10 Pro and Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Greyed Out then you can use mentioned above methods to fix this issue.