How to Encrypt Windows Mobile 6 Memory Cards: A Simple Guide

Did you know that your Windows Mobile 6 based phone supports encryption and decryption of your memory card? In this guide I will explain how you can encrypt and decrypt files stored on your memory card in your Windows Mobile phone. Both Pocket PC and Smartphone versions of Windows Mobile 6 are supported.

Over the Air encryption is provided so you will not need to carry out any additional tasks to encrypt or decrypt the files on your phone once encryption has been enabled. The encryption can be enforced via a Microsoft Exchange policy or by the user. In this guide it will be user intitiated.

To enable encryption on your memory card carry out the following steps -

Step 1 : Make sure the Memory card is present in your device.

Step 2 : Go to the Start menu and select Settings -> System Tab -> Encryption.

Step 3 : Check the option Encrypt files placed on the storage card.

Step 4 : Select the OK button

After you have done these steps, all files will stored in your memory card from henceforth will be automatically encrypted. To confirm this, if you open your memory card with a card reader or another phone, you will only see files with a MENC extension.

To decrypt the files on your storage card, you need to use a slightly longer method. You must copy over the files from your memory card to your computer using Windows mobile device centre in My Computer or ActiveSync. You must then copy the files back to your memory card after disabling encryption.

To disable encryption on your memory card carry out the following steps -

Step 1 : Make sure the Memory card is inserted into your device.

Step 2 : Go to the Start menu and select Settings -> System Tab -> Encryption.

Step 3 : Remove the check from the option Encrypt files placed on the storage card.

Step 4 : Select the OK button to confirm the settings.

Any encrypted files that were not transferred to your PC will be unusable after encryption is disabled. A hard reboot will erase the decryption key present on your phone so remember to back up your files before doing it.