Windows 2000 Command Reference Main PageDisplays or alters the encryption of folders and files on NTFS volumes.
cipher [/e| /d] [/s:dir] [/a][/i] [/f] [/q] [/h] [pathname [...]]
Parameters
none
Used without parameters, displays the encryption state of the current folder and any files it contains.
/e
Encrypts the specified folders. Folders will be marked so that files added to the folder later will be encrypted.
/d
Decrypts the specified folders. Folders will be marked so that files added to the folder later will not be encrypted.
/s: dir
Performs the selected operation on folders in the specified folder and all subfolders.
/a
Performs the selected operation on files with the specified names. If there is no matching file, this parameter is ignored.
/i
Continues performing the specified operation even after errors have occurred. By default, cipher stops when an error is encountered.
/f
Forces the encryption or decryption of all specified objects. By default, files that have already been encrypted or decrypted are skipped.
/q
Reports only the most essential information.
/h
Displays files with hidden or system attributes. By default, these files are not encrypted or decrypted.
pathname
Specifies a pattern, file, or folder.