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When you double-click on an .enc file, it won’t open like normal files do on a PC. This is because an .enc file is an encrypted file that protects the data inside it. These files can have various encoding standards.
If you have an .enc file that you cannot open, there are various ways to do so. In this quick guide, we will reveal how to open ENC files on Windows. So read on to discover multiple ways to decrypt and open .enc files.
DO IT NOW: How to Open ENC Files in Windows?
- Use a Universal File Viewer: File Magic is one of the best universal file openers for .enc files.
- Decrypt and Open the File with Notepad, WordPad, or MS Word: Decrypt the file using OpenSSL and then open it with Notepad, WordPad, or MS Word.
Read on to learn more in detail about how to open .enc files in Windows.
What Are ENC Files?
.enc files are encrypted files with .enc file extension using the Uuencode program to keep your data safe. This Unix-to-Unix encoding method ensures that the data inside them remains incorrupt and safe no matter where you share it.
You must ask the owner of the .enc file to share the password in order to open it.
But if you don’t have it — no worries, there are various ways to open .enc files.
Continue reading to find out.
How to Open .ENC Files in Windows? [1 Beginner-Friendly Way]
Here we have a superb and easy way for every-day user, just a simple piece of software to do the job for you.
Use Universal File Viewer
A Universal File Viewer allows you to open any type of file, no matter its format. File Magic is one such program that you can download and install on your PC to open .enc files.
How to Open ENC Files in Windows? [2 Advanced Ways]
If for whatever reason FileMagic didn’t work out or it opened an obfuscated file, read on and let’s try opening it by using more advanced ways.
Use Notepad With SSL
Before opening an .enc file, you will need to decrypt it with a decrypting tool.
- Download and install the OpenSSL decrypting tool on your PC.
- Now press the ‘Windows key’ on your PC and enter “system environment variable”.
- Now click “Open” and select the “Environmental Variables” option.
- Click on “Path > Edit > New” and add the following path:
C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin
- Hit “OK” in all the windows and then press the “Windows key” again.
- In the search box, type “cmd” and then select “Run as Administrator”.
- Now enter the following command in the command box. Do remember to replace
"output.enc"with the ‘file path’ and":J#u2n!KpL9&zDcR"with your ‘encryption password’. Also, replace"D:\"with the location of your choice. - Once you press ‘Enter’, your file will be decrypted in the directory you specified.
- To open the decrypted file, press the ‘Windows key’ and search for and open “Notepad”.
- Now go to “File > Open”.
- In the “Open with” option, select “All files” and then select your desired file.
- Hit “Open”.
Your decrypted file will open in the Notepad.
Using WordPad
You can also open an .enc file in WordPad after decrypting it using the steps mentioned in method 1 above with SSL.
- Once you have decrypted the file, press the ‘Windows key’ on your PC and search for and open “WordPad”.
- Now go to “File > Open”.
- In the “Open with” option, select “All files” and then select the desired file.
- Hit “Open”.
Using Microsoft Word
Similarly, you can also open an .enc file with Microsoft Word after decrypting it using the steps mentioned in method 1 with the SSL decryption.
- Once you have decrypted the file, press the ‘Windows key’ on your PC and search for and open “Word”.
- Now go to “File > Open > Browse”.
- In the Open with option, select All files and then select the desired file.
- Hit “Open”.
In this guide, we revealed how to open encrypted .enc files in Windows. There are multiple ways to open .enc files on your Windows PC as you’ve already seen.
If you followed everything step-by-step as provided — we’re 99% certain you’ve successfully opened the .enc file you were interested in.
Good luck!
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