Encrypting and Decrypting connection strings in web.config

Make a copy of the web.config file

Open an elevated command prompt

Change directory to C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319 if necessary

Decrypt: ASPNET_REGIIS -pdf "connectionStrings" "<folder containing the web.config file>

Encrypt: ASPNET_REGIIS -pef "connectionStrings" "<folder containing the web.config file>