How to encrypt file on Win 8.1 OS?

Hello. all. My Win 8.1 OS is brand new. I'm trying to encrypt one file containing passwords and when I right click that file and go to "properties" and click "advanced" the "encrypt contents to secure data" box is grayed out, meaning I can't select that. What can I do?

Additionally, if any of you can recommend an encryption program, let me know. I'm not interested in encrypting the entire HD, just an individual file. Thanks...

 

Thanks, Plodr. I'll check that out. But I'm still curious why I couldn't encrypt the file using its own encryption capabilities? Why was that section grayed out?

 

If I understand http://www.howtogeek.com/178912/how-to-encrypt-files-and-folders-in-windows-8.1-using-efs/ correctly, the built-in encryption feature only works on the Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 8.

 

I just tried to emulate what you are trying to do and, while mine is not greyed out, it doesn't encrypt the file either. I suspect that's because I don't have Bitlocker turned on.

I've used Cryptainer LE for many years for encrypting my passwords file. It only allows 100MB but that's fine for this purpose. Oddly though, although it has always worked perfectly on other computers here, it isn't working correctly atm on my brand new Win 7 Pro x64 rig. I'm still working on that as I want it back!

 

That's correct, I'm using Pro here. But I doubt whether encryption options would even appear in plain 8.1

 

Thanks. Your explanations make sense. I've used Locknote in the past. Does anyone have anything to say about that program?