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What are the best file encryption tools for Windows?

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4 Options Considered

4 Options ConsideredPriceOpen SourceLast Updated
GNU Privacy Guard
YesNov 26, 2015
AxCrypt
–Nov 26, 2015
BitLocker
–Nov 26, 2015
7-zip
–Jan 23, 2016
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GNU Privacy Guard

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Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Supports multiple types of encryption algorithms

•••
GPG supports public key cryptography (RSA EIGamal, DSA), symmetrical key algorithms (Blowfish, AES, IDEA, etc), cryptographic hash functions (RIPEMD, SHA), and compression (ZIP, ZLIB, BZIP2).
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Extensive selection of front-ends available

•••
A good number of available frontends can be found here.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Supports volume and individual file encryption

•••
With GPG you can encrypt you whole volume or files individually.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Supports paired keys

•••
Allows for encrypted communication.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Supports expiring signatures

•••
GPG keys by default expire after a set amount of time. The amount can be changed and this feature can be turned off.
Know any negative aspects of this option?
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AxCrypt

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Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Quickly accessible from the right-click menu

•••
AxCrypt integrates with the explorer menu allowing you to encrypt files quickly.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Once created, does not depend on other software

•••
As long as you have the password or keyfile to your encrypted file then you can still access it. This is beneficial if the software ever becomes unsupported.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Free and open source

•••
AxCrypt is free and open source. This is beneficial because anyone can examine the source code and check for errors.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Con

AES-128 encryption

•••
AES-128 encryption is still extremely secure but it is a lower and more outdated level of protection than what other encryption programs offer.
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BitLocker

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Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Volume-based encryption

•••
BitLocker allows encrypting an entire volume including the OS.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Multiple authentication methods

•••
You can use a combination of methods consisting of Trusted Platform Module, PIN, and a passphrase on a USB thumb stick.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Native Windows support

•••
It offers the best integration, ease of use and support with Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows 7, and with the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 8.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Con

Proprietary

•••
No public audits possible. Microsoft could want or be legally required to puts backdoors without users knowledge.
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7-zip

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Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Archive container-based encryption

•••
You can choose between archiving in a .zip container, that offers a choice between ZipCrypto and AES-256 encryption, or a .7z container that uses AES-256 and additionally offers the possibility of encrypting file names.
Bryan
Top Pro

Lightweight

•••
Starts quickly.
Bryan
Top Pro

Unobtrusive

•••
No nag screen.
Bryan
Top Pro

Explorer right-click menu integration

•••
Makes it easy to open any archive file, or create new archives, without having to go open another program first.
Bryan
Top Pro

Multi platform

•••
7-zip runs on many different platforms, including: Windows Linux Mac OS X Solaris (NB: Only Windows and Posix/Linux are officially supported)
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Pro

Free and open-source

•••
7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with the exception of 7z.dll which is licensed under GNU LGPL + unRAR restriction. Source code is available on SourceForge.
Andris Pelcbergs
Top Con

The standard encyption method ZipCrypto is unsecure

•••
Be sure to select AES encryption instead of the standard and much less secure ZipCrypto encryption.
See 5 more ProsSee 5 more Pros

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