How to Send Documents Securely on PC or Mac

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This wikiHow teaches you how to safely share important documents with others in Windows or macOS.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Password-protecting a Microsoft Word Document (Windows and Mac)

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  1. The quickest way to do this is to double-click its file name.
  2. It’s at the top-left corner of the window (or in the menu bar on a Mac). [1]
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  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to type and confirm the password that will protect your document.
  7. Click the File menu and select Save to save the new version of your document.
  8. Now that the file is password protected, you can send it in a variety of ways:
    • Attach the document to an email message in Gmail , Outlook, or Mac Mail.
    • Add the file to a cloud drive like Google Drive , iCloud Drive, or Dropbox.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Attaching Files to Encrypted Messages in Outlook (Windows and Mac)

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  1. It’s usually in All Apps area of the Start menu in Windows, and in the Applications folder in macOS.
  2. It’s the envelope icon at the top-left corner of the window.
  3. It’s near the top-left corner of the screen.
    • If you’re using Outlook 2010, click the Options menu, then select More Options .
  4. If you’re using Outlook 2010, skip to the next step.
  7. This message will now be encrypted.
  8. Now that the encryption settings are set, you can create the message.
  10. It’s the paperclip icon at the top of the new message. This opens your computer’s file browser. [2]
  11. This attaches the file to the message.
  12. The message will now be delivered to the recipient.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Encrypting a Document with EPS (Windows)

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  1. An easy way to do this is to press ⊞ Win + E to open the File Explorer, then double-click the folder that contains the file.
  2. A context menu will expand.
  3. It’s the last option in the menu.
  4. It’s near the bottom-right corner of the window.
  5. It’s the last option on the window.
  6. If you selected a folder, a confirmation message will appear.
  8. The selected file or folder is now encrypted. To access the file or folder, you’ll have to use your Windows login credentials.
    • If you encrypted only one file, you can attach it to an email message. You can't compress the folder and then attach it to an email.
    • If you encrypted a folder, upload it to a cloud drive like Google Drive , iCloud Drive, or Dropbox. Once uploaded, use the drive’s tools to share the files as you wish.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Encrypting Documents with Disk Utility (Mac)

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  1. If you’re not sure how to do this, see Make a New Folder on a Computer .
  2. It’s at the top of the screen.
  3. It’s near the bottom of the menu. A new Finder window will open.
  4. This opens the Disk Utility app.
  5. It’s in the menu bar at the top-left corner of the screen.
  6. Another menu will expand.
  10. Enter a new password for the folder into the “Password” box, then again in the “Verify” box.
  13. The files in the folder are now encrypted. Now you can upload the folder to a cloud drive like Google Drive , iCloud Drive, or Dropbox. Once uploaded, use the drive’s tools to share the files as you wish.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you open an Outlook encryted message?
    Nithik R
    Community Answer
    If you are using the Microsoft Outlook app, then you don't have to do anything to open the encrypted message. It will open as normal. If someone sent an outlook encrypted message to you, on another email service such as gmail or yahoo, you have to click on "Read the message" and it will redirect you to another site. Follow the on-screen instructions and you will receive a single-use code. Enter the code when asked for and you will be able to read the email.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question
    If you send encrypted emaills and attachments doesn't the recipient have to know password?
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    Try not to send those. It be better for the recipient if those type of files remain private and that would be better for yourself.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Does the recipient of an encrypted file need a password to open it or read it? Does encrypting imply restrictions on copying, forwarding, etc.?
    ValleyCool
    Community Answer
    If you are sending files between mobile phones and PC, just connect your phone to the computer via USB cable and the files will be shown on your computer, just drag them to the desktop. If you are transferring files between iPhone and PC, iPhone and Mac, or Android and Mac, then you may need backup and transfer tools like iCloud, Google Drive, or FonePaw Data Recovery.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 0
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-or-remove-protection-in-your-document-workbook-or-presentation-05084cc3-300d-4c1a-8416-38d3e37d6826
      2. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/create-an-email-message-147208af-ca8e-4cdf-b71f-77ba81a54069

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