Encryption Wizard (EW) operates on the files in its main file list. Encrypted files (.wzd files) can be decrypted (and vice versa), and groups of files (encrypted, decrypted, or mixed) can be added to multi-file archives (.wza files).
Files may be added to the file list either by dragging files or folders into the EW window or by pressing the "a" key and using standard system dialogs.
Files may be removed from the list by selecting them and pressing the "Delete" key.
Hovering the mouse pointer over a file name for a few seconds will display the full file path in a floating tooltip. Additional information is available via the "Get file info" entry in the "File" menu (also accessible via the I hotkey). This feature will open a dialog that displays the file name, size, last modification date, MD5 and SHA256 hash and any metadata that was entered when the file was created.
Encryption Wizard performs 4 basic operations:
Encrypt | Transform a file(s) into encrypted file(s). |
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Archive | Add files/folders to an encrypted, and optionally compressed archive file. |
Decrypt | Transform encrypted file(s) into unencrypted file(s). |
Expand | Decrypt and expand an archive file consisting of files/folders into a user-specified directory. |
Specific operations can be performed by clicking on the appropriate button, through the File menu, or by using hotkeys. Operations that are unavailable based on the types of files in the file list, or the types that are selected, will be disabled. Disabled operations typically have grey or reduced contrast text. Unencrypted files and folders are shown in black text.
This operation will first ask for the key(s) to be used for encryption (e.g. smartcard, soft certificate(s), and/or passphrase(s)). Then the user may enter plaintext metadata that will be stored unencrypted, and next may select to keep or delete the original file. When the encryption operation has been successfully completed, all the selected files (or all files in the listing if none were selected) will have been transformed into individually encrypted .wzd files within the same folder as the original file(s). Encrypt does not compress files.
This operation is available whenever multiple files are selected, or multiple files are in the file list and none are selected. If encrypting folders and subfolders, archiving retains its folder heirarchy. The user will first be asked to supply a file name for the archive. If the file name is not absolute, then it will be created in the directory where the Encryption Wizard .jar exists with a .wza extenstion added. The user may enable compression, to make the archive smaller than the sum of its parts. The user will then be asked for the key(s) to be used for encryption (e.g. smartcard, soft certificate(s), and/or passphrase(s)). After key entry, the user is given the opportunity to enter plaintext metadata that will be stored unencrypted. When successfully completed, a new, single archive file will contain all of the specified file(s) and/or folder(s).
This operation will ask the user for one key (of possible many) to decrypt a .wzd file (shown in blue text). After successful completion, the selected files (or all files in the listing if none were selected) will appear in the same folder as the encrypted files.
The user supplies a location (i.e. path) for the archive to be expanded. If an absolute path is not specified, the folder where the .wza file exists will be used. The user then provides one of the file's keys. If successful, the files and folders will appear.