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PGP on Windows

SunDevil311 edited this page Jun 15, 2025 · 2 revisions

๐Ÿ’ป Using PGP on Windows (Gpg4win & Kleopatra)

This section walks through encrypting a message or file using Gpg4win and its GUI tool Kleopatra

๐Ÿ“ฆ 1. Install Gpg4win


๐Ÿ”‘ 2. Import the Recipientโ€™s Public Key

  1. Open Kleopatra
  2. Click File โ†’ Import Certificatesโ€ฆ
  3. Select the .asc or .gpg file you downloaded
  4. Confirm the fingerprint matches the published value

โœ๏ธ 3. Encrypt a Message (Text)

  1. In Kleopatra, go to Tools โ†’ Clipboard โ†’ Encrypt
  2. Paste your message
  3. Select the recipientโ€™s public key
  4. Click Encrypt
  5. Copy or save the armored output (begins with -----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----)

You can now send that encrypted message via email or any communication platform.


๐Ÿ“ 4. Encrypt a File

  1. Right-click on any file (e.g., PDF or TXT)
  2. Choose More GpgEX options โ†’ Encrypt
  3. Select the recipient key
  4. The encrypted file will be saved with a .gpg extension

๐Ÿ”“ 5. Decrypt a Message or File

To decrypt a file:

  • Right-click .gpg file โ†’ Decrypt and verify

To decrypt a clipboard message:

  • In Kleopatra, go to Tools โ†’ Clipboard โ†’ Decrypt/Verify
  • Paste the encrypted message
  • Kleopatra will prompt for your private key if needed

๐Ÿง  Tips for Windows Users

  • Your private key is protected by a passphrase โ€” never share it.
  • You can export your public key for others to encrypt messages to you.
  • Kleopatra also supports signing files and messages to verify your identity.

๐Ÿ“˜ For full walkthroughs, see:

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