hi, I am wanting to encrypt some files and also entire folders if possible in windows 7. How reliable* is this encryption feature in windows 7.Does it have errors very often? Am i able to use this feature on an external hard drive as well?And if it will work can that external hard drive be accessible from an xp or vista pc? Thanks

hi 2010m,I am wanting to encrypt some files and also entire folders if possible in windows 7.Afcourse this is posible the technology you seek is EFS or Encrypted File System.Check out this quick demo: http://www.microsoft.com/video/en/us/details/a7da9c42-86a3-4d8a-aab2-0f779464fb8cHow reliable is this encryption feature in windows 7.This feature is verry reliable in windows 7. But use this technolgy in combination with Bitlocker (volume encryption).Why bitlocker? Well bitlocker encrypts your entire harddisk en also the encryption keys for EFS.What if i use no bitlocker? If you use no bitlocker a potentinal hacker who has pshysical harddisk access. could boot with a a linux / winpe / ... CD and rip the certificate from your pc and use it to decrypt your files.Does it have errors very often?Configure DRA's (Data Recovery Agents) if something goes wrong you can use a DRA to encrypt the data.And i am not realy aware of any other problems. :)Am i able to use this feature on an external hard drive as well?Yes, you can use this feature on any media that is NTFS formated.And if it will work can that external hard drive be accessible from an xp or vista pc?Normaly this would be no problem.More info for these technogies is aviable here.BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guidehttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732725(WS.10).aspxEncrypted file System.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721923(WS.10).aspxAnd also an intresting technology is Bitlocker To Go.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd408739.aspxThis is Bitlocker(volume encryption) for removable storage (like your external harddisk).Kind RegardsDFTIM me - TWiTTer: @DFTER