A system and method for accessing content on an electronic device in an encrypted mode, a decrypted mode or a default mode. A request is transmitted to an application program interface to permit a requesting program to access at least one file. The request specifically identifies whether the requesting program wishes to access the file in an encrypted mode, a decrypted mode or a default mode. It is determined whether the specific form is supported by the application program interface being used by the system, whether the at least one file is protected; and whether the requesting program is permitted to access the at least one file. If the specific form is supported by the application program interface, if the at least one file is protected, and if the requesting program is permitted to access the at least one file, the at least one file is opened in the specific form for use by the requesting program.