Keeping files private.
Plain-English guides on encrypting files on Windows, what the jargon actually means, and how to keep your own data yours.
How to share encrypted files without sending a password
Sending the password with the file defeats the point. How public-key sharing works, and how to send an encrypted file only one person can open.
October 1, 2026 Read → ExplainerWhat a post-quantum recovery key is, and why your encryption needs one
Forgetting your password shouldn't mean losing your files. How recovery keys work, what 'post-quantum' adds, and how to store one safely.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideHow to encrypt files before uploading them to OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox
Cloud storage encrypts your files with keys the provider holds. How to add your own encryption first, so the cloud only ever stores ciphertext.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideHow to encrypt files from the command line on Windows (and Linux)
Encrypt, decrypt and verify files from PowerShell, cmd or bash with clavis-cli — including passwords in scripts and scheduled encrypted backups.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideHow to move encrypted files to a new PC without losing access
New laptop? The encrypted files are the easy part — the keys are what people lose. A checklist for moving an encrypted setup safely.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideHow to encrypt files on Linux (Ubuntu and Debian)
The main ways to encrypt individual files on Ubuntu and Debian — gpg, archives, full-disk encryption — and a simple app that works the same on Windows.
October 1, 2026 Read → ComparisonClavis vs Cryptomator vs AxCrypt vs BitLocker: which file encryption should you use?
An honest comparison of four popular ways to encrypt files on Windows — what each protects, how they work day to day, and who each one suits.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideClavis Free vs Pro vs Premium: which do you need?
What each Clavis edition includes, who it's for, and why the encryption is identical in all three.
October 1, 2026 Read → GuideHow to encrypt photos on Windows (free)
Lock private photos on Windows — and clear the cloud copies and thumbnail caches most guides forget.
September 27, 2026 Read → GuideHow to password-protect a PDF on Windows (free)
The reliable free ways to lock a PDF on Windows, why to avoid online tools, and a stronger option that works for any file.
September 27, 2026 Read → OpinionWhy local encryption beats trusting the cloud
The cloud is convenient, but you hand over control. Why local encryption keeps the keys in your hands — and how to safely use both together.
September 27, 2026 Read → ExplainerAES-256-GCM and Argon2id, in plain English
The two names behind modern file encryption — what they actually mean, without the math, and what they don't protect against.
September 27, 2026 Read → ComparisonA simpler VeraCrypt alternative for everyday files
VeraCrypt is powerful but built for volumes and whole disks. If you just want to lock a few files on Windows, here's a simpler option — and when to stick with VeraCrypt.
September 27, 2026 Read → GuideHow to encrypt a folder on Windows (free)
Four ways to lock a folder on Windows 10 and 11 — from the built-in options to a free app — and how to pick the right one.
September 27, 2026 Read →