HowTo make GPG Keys under Windows

You can install the command line tools from gnupg.org. Go to the downloads section. Find the file that is described as something like: "compiled binary for windows". As of 11/20/2002 the link was: gnupg-w32cli-1.2.1-1.zip

I don't know about the graphical tools. This guide describes only the command line tools.

1. Download the zip. Unzip to C:\Program Files\gpg or whatever you like.

2. Open a command window and navigate to your home directory and type the boldface text:

C:\> cd C:\"Documents and Settings"\YOURUSERNAME

C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\> mkdir .gnupg

C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\> cd C:\"Program Files"\gpg

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg --gen-key

...Then follow the directions for making a key... Then put your data file (usually a text file) in the gpg folder)

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg -o output.gpg -r ID -ea mySecret.txt

...The command above will encrypt the file mySecret.txt and save the encrypted version as output.gpg (you can name it anything you want). The ID is usually the "real name" or "email" you specified when generating your Key Pair above. The "mySecret.txt" is the original message to encrypt.

To create a messae for your friend, use your friend's Public Key instead. You must first import that public key into your keyring. Get your friend's key and put it in the gpg folder. Let's call it "friend.key".

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg --import friend.key

...or to export a key

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg -a --export ID

...where ID is the "real name" or "email" you specified when generating your Key Pair above. Then encrypt the message for your frient now that you have their public key.

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg -o output.gpg -r IdOfYouFriend'sPublicKey -ea mySecret.txt

...to get the IdOfYourFriend'sPublicKey use the following command to veiw all keys in your key ring:

C:\Program Files\gpg\> gpg --list-keys

Commands

--gen-key : to make keys

--import : import a public key into your keyring

--export : export a public key

-e : encrypt

-d : decrypt

Options

-o : specify output file

-a : asci armor, used for sending in plain text. This creates text output instead of binary, useful for email.

-r : user id

questions / comments to: jxd52@cwru.edu