Encrypt a file or folder on a remote computer

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To encrypt a file or folder on a remote computer

Open Windows Explorer.
On the Tools menu, click Map Network Drive, and then follow the instructions in the Map Network Drive dialog box.
Right-click the file or folder that you want to encrypt, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, click Advanced.
Select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.

Notes

To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
You can only encrypt files and folders on NTFS file system volumes.
Files or folders that are compressed cannot also be encrypted. If you encrypt a compressed file or folder, that file or folder will be uncompressed.
Files that are marked with the System attribute or are in the systemroot directory cannot be encrypted.
In a domain environment, remote encryption is not enabled by default. To enable encryption for a specific computer, your network administrator can make that computer trusted for delegation. For more information, consult your network administrator.
When you encrypt a folder, you are asked if you want all files and subfolders within the folder to be encrypted as well. If you choose to do so, all future files and subfolders that are added to the folder are automatically encrypted.
Programs that create temporary work files can compromise file encryption security. When working with such programs, encrypt the folder rather than the individual files.

Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.