How to Detect Encrypted Files: Windows and Mac (2024)

Written byDarlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: October 27, 2023

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1. 1

   Type cmd into the Windows search bar. You'll usually see the search bar at the bottom-left corner of the screen. If you don't see it, click the magnifying glass or circle to open it.

   • You can also pull up the search with ⊞ Win+S. Search results will appear as you type.
2. 2

   Click Command Prompt in the search results. This opens a black window with a command prompt inside.

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3. 3

   Type cipher /u /n and press ↵ Enter. A list of all the encrypted files on your computer and their locations will appear along with their locations on your hard drive.

   • If you want to decrypt a file, make note of the location and continue with this method.

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1. See Also

   Send, view, and reply to encrypted messages in Outlook for PCEncrypting and Decrypting PDF Documents | Adobe Experience ManagerHow To Open An Encrypted File Without Password

   1

   Open File Explorer. You can find this on your Start menu or by pressing ⊞ Win+E.

2. 2

   Navigate to the folder that contains the file you want to decrypt.

3. 3

   Right-click the encrypted file/folder and select Properties. This opens a dialog box to the "General" tab.

4. 4

   Click Advanced. It's in the "Attributes" section.

5. 5

   Uncheck the box next to “Encrypt Contents to Secure Data."

6. 6

   Click Ok twice. All the pop-up boxes will disappear and your file will be decrypted instantly.

   • If this does not work, you may not have the ability or permission to decrypt this file, which may indicate malicious software.

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1. 1

   Open Finder

   . It's the first icon on the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of your desktop.

2. 2

   Click the File menu. It's at the top-left corner of the screen.

3. 3

   Click Find. You can also press ⌘ Cmd+F.

4. 4

   Click the Kind drop-down box. You’ll see this immediately under the tool bar.

5. 5

   Click Other from the drop-down box. The options will change.

6. 6

   Click Security in the attributes list.

7. 7

   Check the “In Menu” box. A checked box indicates this is enabled. You can now browse your folders for encrypted files.

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1. 1

   Open Terminal. You can find this by searching Spotlight or in the Utilities folder of Finder.

2. 2

   Type the following code: openssl enc -aes-256-cbc -d -in *path-to-file-you-want-to-decrypt* -out *path-to-where-the-decrypted-file-will-be-saved*.

3. 3

   Press ⏎ Return. You'll be prompted for a password.

4. 4

   Type the admin password and press ⏎ Return.

5. 5

   Press ⏎ Return. You'll find the decrypted file in the location you specified in Terminal.

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