If you encrypted the System32 folder, would the system be able to run?Microsoft Student Partner

Hi, I would like to advise you that the Windows system folder can not be encrypted. EFS keys aren't available during the boot process; thus, if system files were encrypted, the system file couldn't boot. Thanks for understanding.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Actually after working with this on a virtual machine I've realized that Windows File Protection system kicks in when the files are encrypted. It recreates the original files from a backup and then places them in the System32 folder ALONG WITH the encrypted files. It never actually causes the system to crash. It starts instantly so that the system never stops running. Note: The Windows File Protection system was what it was called back in Windows XP and I'm assuming it still has the same name.Microsoft Student Partner

Hi, It is very strange. Based on my research, I find that the System Folder can not be encrypted. For detailed informaton, please refer to the following link. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700811.aspx But I am wondering why do you wanna to encrypt the System Folder? It can not make any sense. Thanks. Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Well technically it can't because the system recreates all the files from the backup. I'm trying to find a way to prevent viruses from infecting the System32 folder. I've got some ideas and so I'm in the process of testing them out. One of them was encrypting the folder. Microsoft Student Partner