I got 2 HDs on my computer. The one has XP on it crashed. I reinstalled XP,
but couldn't access some files on my 2nd HD. Those files are in a folder
that was encryped and read-only. I've gained the owernership of the folder,
and removed the read-only attributes, but couln't copy, open, or deencryped
the files. Every time I tried to do so, I got a err message saying access is
denied.

Anyone can help me out with this? Thanks.

This would all depend of whether the original user-profile foilders still
exist, or not.

They would have been under 'Documents and Settings' - your own folder, plus
that of Adminstrator, should have contained a copy of the decryption key for
the encrypted files. If the folders/keys are still there, then there is a
good chance of recovery. If the userprofile folders have been replaced in
entirety then no hope.

I ran into this problem and someone helped me (included below). It was an
ownership issue that I had to change - on one of the other partitions a
windows reinstall.
I'll paste the KB articles that were sent to me. I believe it was the first
KB article that helped me. I had to do it for all of the folders, but I had
full access after I went through the steps each time. It was a tremendous
help. I hope it helps you.

Here's the posting by that person who called themself "JS".

You most likely need to take ownership of the files.
read this MS KB article about how to take ownership of files.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Access is Denied Error Message:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

Shared folder access:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/sdperms.htm

Also the partitions can have their drive letters changed back to what
you
want them to be using Disk Management

JS



"nasmith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E5286EA2-7548-45A8-A06D-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I got 2 HDs on my computer. The one has XP on it crashed. I reinstalled XP,
> but couldn't access some files on my 2nd HD. Those files are in a folder
> that was encryped and read-only. I've gained the owernership of the
> folder,
> and removed the read-only attributes, but couln't copy, open, or
> deencryped
> the files. Every time I tried to do so, I got a err message saying access
> is
> denied.
>
> Anyone can help me out with this? Thanks.

"nasmith" wrote

>I got 2 HDs on my computer. The one has XP on it crashed. I reinstalled XP,
> but couldn't access some files on my 2nd HD. Those files are in a folder
> that was encryped and read-only. I've gained the owernership of the
> folder,
> and removed the read-only attributes, but couln't copy, open, or
> deencryped
> the files. Every time I tried to do so, I got a err message saying access
> is
> denied.

If you mean the files were encrypted with EFS, then it's not an issue of
ownership. The EFS encryption is based on the account SID (Security
Identifier) under which they were encrypted. A new install of XP, even
though the account name might be the same, creates a different SID which
can't be used to decrypt the files. In essence they are lost to you unless
you backed up the certificate used for the encryption and/or designated a
recovery agent. That is why EFS is commonly referred to as the delayed
recycle bin. There are many pitfalls with that that can lead to loss of
access to the data.

That being said recently a couple of web sites have come out with ways to
get around EFS. Whether they work or not I don't know.

Advanced EFS Data Recovery
https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-...307.US...X.X.X

http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/

There is a cost, an I believe you need to know what the password was when
you originally encrypted the files.

Here are some links for how to best set up EFS so this doesn't happen again.

Encrypting File System in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...y/cryptfs.mspx

How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308989

How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308993

How To Encrypt a File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307877

HOW TO: Share Access to an Encrypted File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308991

Best practices for the Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316

How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key
in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=241201

How to add an EFS recovery agent in Windows XP Professional
http://support.microsoft.com

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]