This article details how to export keys in PGP Encryption Desktop for Windows (Symantec Encryption Desktop).
Resolution
Exporting the key pair and public key backs the key pair as well as distributes the public key to recipients to encrypt to. Not having a backup is potentially disastrous. If the key is lost the encrypted information can never be decrypted for that key.
PGP keys are exported as .asc files.
Export PGP keys
Several methods exist to export keys out of PGP Encryption Desktop. These methods include:
Export within Encryption Desktop
Open PGP Encryption Desktop.
Click "PGP Keys".
Highlight the PGP key you want to export, then select the File menu and click Export > Key. Alternatively, right-click on the key to export and click "Export" in the drop-down menu.
When the Export Key to File window appears, select a location to export the key, then click Save. The key is exported as an .asc file to the location specified.
Note: This export will only export the public key. To include the private key to the backup key, select the Include Private Key(s) box in the lower left corner.
Send to method within Encryption Desktop - (Public key only)
Open PGP Encryption Desktop.
Click "PGP Keys".
Right-click the key to export then select Send To from the drop-down list.
The option to send the public key to a key server listed in the drop-down list, a smart card, or to mail recipient can be chosen. If choosing a mail recipient, a new mail message opens and automatically attaches the public key.
Drag and Drop Method - (Public key only)
Open PGP Encryption Desktop.
Click "PGP Keys".
Click and drag the key outside of the PGP Desktop window. Also drag the file to your Desktop or a drive or folder of your choice.
Copy Public Key Block
Open PGP Desktop.
Click "PGP Keys".
Right-click the key to export, then select Copy Public Key.
Also paste the key block of the public key to a text file as an additional backup.
Click "PGP Keys". Right-click the key to export, then select Copy Public Key. Also paste the key block of the public key to a text file as an additional backup.
Go to C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\PGP directory or whichever directory you specified for your public and private keys when you first installed PGP. Copy your pubring and secring files to a USB device or external hard drive or make a backup copy with TSM.
To generate OpenPGP keys for secure file transfers, JSCAPE MFT Server offers three methods: using the Key Manager for system-wide encryption tasks, allowing users to generate keys via the web interface for personal use, and employing third-party tools like GPG4Win for external key generation.
Double-click the PGP Tray icon. Right-click the PGP Tray icon and then select Open Symantec Encryption Desktop. From the Start menu, select Programs > Symantec Encryption > Symantec Encryption Desktop.
You can use the PGP Decrypt and Verify filter to decrypt a message encrypted with Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). This filter decrypts an incoming message using the specified PGP private key, and creates a new message body using the specified content type.
How to Generate Keys on the PGP Command Line: Use the --gen-key command to create a new key pair. <user> is a user ID that people can use to locate your public key. A common user ID is your name and email address in the format: "Alice Example <alice@example.com>".
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
