The Cipher command-line utility, which is built into Windows 2000 (Win2K), displays or alters the encryption of directories and files on NTFS partitions. The Cipher utility supports several commands. Type Cipher /? to view the following switches:
/E encrypts and marks the directories you specify so that EFS will encrypt new files you add.
/D decrypts and marks the directories you specify so that EFS won’t encrypt new files you add.
/S performs the operation you specify in a given directory and all its subdirectories.
/I continues performing the operation you specify even after errors occur. (By default, the Cipher utility stops when it encounters an error.)
/F forces the encryption operation on the directories you specify, including already-encrypted directories. (By default, Cipher skips already-encrypted directories.)
/Q reports only the most essential information.
dirname specifies a pattern or directory.
Used without switches, the Cipher utility displays the encryption state of the current directory and any files it contains. You can use multiple directory names and wildcards. You must type spaces between multiple commands. For example, to encrypt the sales information directory, type
Cipher /e "sales information"
To decrypt the directory called new projects, type
Cipher /d new*
