# GpgEX

> GnuPG extension for the Windows Explorer

**Wikidata**: [Q131597033](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131597033)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gpgex

## Summary
GpgEX is a GnuPG extension that integrates GnuPG functionality into the Windows Explorer shell. It is an encryption software plug-in distributed as free software under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1.

## Key Facts
- GpgEX is a GnuPG extension for the Windows Explorer file manager.
- Instance of: encryption software, plug-in, and free software.
- License: GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1.
- Copyright status: copyrighted.
- Source code repository (preferred): https://git.gnupg.org/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=gpgex.git (cgit).
- Source code mirror: https://github.com/gpg/gpgex (mirror storage).
- As free software, it is distributed under terms that allow users to run, study, change, and redistribute the software and modified versions.

## FAQs
### Q: What is GpgEX?
A: GpgEX is a shell extension that brings GnuPG encryption functionality into the Windows Explorer interface so users can access GnuPG operations from the Windows file manager.

### Q: Under what license is GpgEX released?
A: GpgEX is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 (LGPL v2.1).

### Q: Where can I find the GpgEX source code?
A: The primary source repository is hosted at https://git.gnupg.org/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=gpgex.git (cgit). A mirror is available at https://github.com/gpg/gpgex.

## Why It Matters
GpgEX matters because it links a widely used cryptographic toolset (GnuPG) directly into the Windows Explorer environment, reducing friction for users who need to encrypt, decrypt, or otherwise manage cryptographic operations on files. By functioning as a plug-in for the file manager, GpgEX brings contextual access to GnuPG operations where users already work with files, which can help make strong encryption more accessible on Windows systems. Its distribution under the GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1 classifies it as free software, allowing developers and organizations to examine, modify, and redistribute the code under the terms of that license. The existence of an official repository on the GnuPG infrastructure and a public mirror on GitHub ensures the source code is available for review, integration, and maintenance.

## Notable For
- Being the GnuPG extension specifically designed for integration with the Windows Explorer shell.
- Distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1.
- Categorized as encryption software and a plug-in while also being free software.
- Source code hosted in the official GnuPG git infrastructure with a public GitHub mirror.

## Body

### Overview
- GpgEX is described as a GnuPG extension for the Windows Explorer.
- It is intended to operate as a shell extension (plug-in) for the Windows file manager.
- The project is classified as encryption software and as free software.

### Functionality (high-level)
- Integrates GnuPG capabilities into Windows Explorer to provide file-related cryptographic operations.
- Implemented as a plug-in to extend the file manager rather than a standalone application.

### License and Copyright
- License: GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1.
- The LGPL v2.1 license places GpgEX in the category of free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software and modified versions under license terms.
- Copyright status: copyrighted.

### Source Code and Repositories
- Official repository (preferred viewer): https://git.gnupg.org/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=gpgex.git — identified with cgit as the interface.
- Public mirror repository: https://github.com/gpg/gpgex — marked as a mirror storage of the upstream repository.
- Repository qualifiers indicate the preferred hosted location is the GnuPG infrastructure, with GitHub used as a mirror.

### Classification and Related Concepts
- Instance of encryption software: GpgEX is part of tools that implement cryptographic functions.
- Instance of plug-in: Designed to extend the functionality of an existing application (Windows Explorer).
- Instance of free software: Distributed under an OSI-compatible free license (LGPL v2.1), aligning with the definition that permits running, studying, changing, and distributing the software and modified versions.