Encrypting data on your laptop Data encryption for files in XP

In Windows XP Pro, select the folder you want to encrypt. Next, right-click the folder and select Properties and click Advanced. Tick the check box for Encrypt contents to secure data and select Apply, then OK.

In Windows XP Home edition, the option to encrypt contents to secure data is not available. To get around this, you’ll need to do the following: first, download TweakUI.

Start up TweakUI and select Explorer on the right of the first window pane. Under Settings, tick Show Encrypt on context menu then right-click the folder to encrypt. Go to Properties and click the Sharing tab, then tick Make this folder private. Click Apply and OK.

Remember there is no such thing as 100% protection, as there is a lot of information on the internet to help those that wish to crack passwords and encryption. It’s a good idea to keep a backup of the data at home, without the password, in case your laptop is lost or stolen, or in case you forget the password. Watch the Which? video guide to backing up your hard drive, where we show you how it's done.