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How to encrypt selected text and entire text files with Notepad++

Using a plug-in for the popular Windows text editor, Notepad++, you can easily encrypt selected text and entire text files.

Ed Rhee
Ed Rhee, a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an IT veteran turned stay-at-home-dad of two girls. He focuses on Android devices and applications while maintaining a review blog at techdadreview.com.
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Ed Rhee
Notepad++

Notepad++ is a popular text editor and Notepad replacement with many useful features. One of its best features is its support for plug-ins. NppCrypt is a Notepad++ plug-in that lets you encrypt selected text or entire text files. If you don't want to use BitLocker in Windows 7 or TrueCrypt, here's how you can use Notepad++ to encrypt your text files.

Install Notepad++ and NppCrypt plug-in

Step 1: Download and install Notepad++.

Step 2: Launch the plug-in manager by going to Plugins > Plugin Manager > Show Plugin Manager.

Step 3: Select NppCrypt from the plug-in list, then click the Install button. Allow Notepad++ to restart after the NppCrypt finishes installing.

Install NppCrypt plugin
Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

Encrypt text

Step 1: To encrypt selected text, select the text you want to encrypt, then go to Plugins > NppCrypt > Encrypt.

Step 2: Select the cipher you want to use, then type in a password.

Enter cipher password
Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

To encrypt the entire file, just go to NppCrypt without selecting any text and choose Encrypt. To decrypt text, go back to NppCrypt and choose the Decrypt option.

Encrypted text
This is what an encrypted text file will look like. Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

That's it. Now you can encrypt select data in a text file or the entire file with ease, using Notepad++ and NppCrypt.

(Via Addictive Tips)