Use the Unprotect component

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Decrypt an encrypted string using the Unprotect component in the RPA Desktop Design Studio. You can use the component on strings encrypted by the ProtectData or any other application as part of a Workflow. The Unprotect component returns the decrypted string or data.

    Before you begin

    Role required: none

    About this task

    You can configure the properties for the Unprotect component. For more information about these properties, see Properties of the DPAPI components.

    Procedure

    1. In the Toolbox pane, navigate to Security > DPAPI.
    2. Drag the Unprotect component to the Design surface.
    3. To configure the input fields, see Configure port properties.
    4. Connect the data and control ports of the Unprotect component to the corresponding ports of the other components as described in the following table.
      Port type Purpose of connection Mandatory?
      Data In (EncryptedText) Passes the encrypted string from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data In (Optional Entropy) If the string is protected by entropy, you need to enter the entropy details to enable the component to access the data. Passes the entropy details from a previously executed component. No. Connecting the port is optional.
      Data In (Scope) Passes the scope of protection from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data Out (String) Returns the decrypted string. Yes

      To view the output, right-click the Return field and click Preview Data.
      Control In Passes the control from a from a previously executed component. Yes
      Control Out Passes the control to the next component. No
    5. Optional: To test the component, under the DESIGN tab, click Run.