When you start the installation, you can choose which components to install. The included components are as follows:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| GnuPG | GnuPG Privacy Guard |
| Kleopatra | Keymanger for OpenPGP and X.509 and common crypto dialogs |
| GPA | GNU Privacy Assistant |
| GpgOL | GnuPG for Outlook |
| GpgEX | GnuPG Shell Extension |
| Claws-Mail | Claws Mail-User-Agent |
| Gpg4win Kompendium (pdf, German) | Gpg4win compendium (German) |
| Novice Manual (pdf, English) | Gpg4win Manual for the Novice User (English) |
Once Gpg4win is installed, you need to run the Gnu Privacy Assistant (GPA) to
create your public (pubring.gpg) and secret (secring.gpg) key rings. The files
will be placed in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\gnupg,
where Username is the account you are using, on a Windows Vista system.
Note: you will need to
display hidden files and folders
to see this folder.
If you have existing key rings on another system, you can copy them over the ones in this location. Or, you can import a pubring.gpg file from another system in the GNU Privacy Assistant by clicking on the Import button.
If you need to obtain a public key from a keyserver, click on Server from the menu bar in GPA, then provide the key ID. The key server that will be used is set by clicking on Edit then selecting Backend Preferences where you will see a "Configuration for Keyservers" option.
If you don't know the key id, you can use the gpg2.exe
program, which will be located in the directory where you insalled
Gpg4win.
C:\Program Files (x86)\GnuPG>gpg2 --search-keys --keyserver pgpkeys.example.com
jackson
gpg: searching for "jackson" from hkp server pgpkeys.example.com
(1) Andy Jackson <Andrew.M.Jackson@example.com>
1024 bit DSA key 525BACE7, created: 2003-06-18
(2) Janet D. Jackson <janet.d.jackson@example.com>
2048 bit RSA key E45ADACD, created: 2005-02-02
Enter number(s), N)ext, or Q)uit > 1
gpg: requesting key 525BACE7 from hkp server pgpkeys.example.com
gpg: key 525BACE7: public key "Andy Jackson <Andrew.M.Jackson@example.com>" impo
rted
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg: imported: 1If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see an option
to "sign and encrypt" a file when you right-click on it or "decrypt and
verify" for files with a .gpg
extension within Windows Explorer as you will with 32-bit versions of Windows.
That is because the GnuPG Shell Extension (GpgEX) is a 32bit plugin for the
32bit Windows Explorer and it does not run in a 64bit Explorer. The workaround
is to run the 32bit Explorer to use GpgEX. You can run the 32-bit version by
clicking "Start" -> "Run", type the following in the box, and then
click OK:
C:\windows\syswow64\explorer.exe /separate
Note: Adjust the path to your x64-based version of Windows if necessary.
References:
