Hi,

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...

I encrypted a file without any thought to Recovery Agents, keys, or anything
else. Rebuild my PC (clean install), and now can't open the file (no
surprise there).

From what I've read here and elsewhere it looks like I am never going to be
able to open this file again. Is this correct? Should I stop trying to
create keys, add Recovery Agents etc. and throw the file away?

Gary;
The Recovery Agent needs to be designated in advance.
You need your key to decrypt the data.
From what you say all your data is as good as gone.

See the bottom of this link for ways to help prevent this in the future:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Gary 6769" <Gary (E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3D407038-DE32-4D07-95E2-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...
>
> I encrypted a file without any thought to Recovery Agents, keys, or
> anything
> else. Rebuild my PC (clean install), and now can't open the file (no
> surprise there).
>
> From what I've read here and elsewhere it looks like I am never going to
> be
> able to open this file again. Is this correct? Should I stop trying to
> create keys, add Recovery Agents etc. and throw the file away?

Thanks Jupiter, I had already read that article - thats what made me think I
was trying to solve an unsolvable problem. From the amount of posts and
level of frustation it looks like I'm not the only one who has made the same
mistake, maybe Microsoft need to protect people from themselves a little more.

Thanks again
Gary

"Gary 6769" <Gary (E-Mail Removed)> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:3D407038-DE32-4D07-95E2-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...
>
> I encrypted a file without any thought to Recovery Agents, keys, or
> anything
> else. Rebuild my PC (clean install), and now can't open the file (no
> surprise there).
>
> From what I've read here and elsewhere it looks like I am never going to
> be
> able to open this file again. Is this correct? Should I stop trying to
> create keys, add Recovery Agents etc. and throw the file away?
Hello Gary,
maybe I can help.
I hope you'll find the way to have it translated from Italian into
English...
Don't know if it works (I never needed it) but the guy there assures it
works.
http://it.geocities.com/consultingst...overy_w2k.html

Let me know if you can translate it, otherways I will see what I can do for
you...(if I ever find the time)
(Maybe you can find an english version, either ;-)

Regards,
Stefano

"Stefano Ferrante" <(E-Mail Removed)> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:cprh4q$2f37$(E-Mail Removed)...
> http://it.geocities.com/consultingst...overy_w2k.html
>
> Let me know if you can translate it, otherways I will see what I can do
> for you...(if I ever find the time)
> (Maybe you can find an english version, either ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Stefano
>
Sorry,
I am afraid I did not take enough time to read the whole article...
It seems you need the old files:
C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\Application
Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\S-1-5-21-1390067357-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxx
C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto
C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
Application Data\Microsoft\Protect
C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates

But, you formatted :-(
If there's any backup...then it may be very helpful...have you ever
forgotten the windows logon password?
Anyway, let us know.

Stefano

The "key" to preserving control of your files is to back up your encryption
key. (Unfortunately, you're right; there's not a balloon or popup that will
inform you to do that.) SP2 for WinXP does, however, give you an easier way
to back up your EFS key. Running "cipher /x <filename>" at command line will
create a .pfx file that you should store on removable media. If disaster, or
clean installs, strikes again, run the .pfx file to import the key into the
new installation. Hope that helps for the future.

Thanks.
Pat

"Gary 6769" wrote:

> Thanks Jupiter, I had already read that article - thats what made me think I
> was trying to solve an unsolvable problem. From the amount of posts and
> level of frustation it looks like I'm not the only one who has made the same
> mistake, maybe Microsoft need to protect people from themselves a little more.
>
> Thanks again
> Gary

"Stefano Ferrante" <(E-Mail Removed)> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:cprir9$2fu9$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Stefano Ferrante" <(E-Mail Removed)> ha scritto nel messaggio
> news:cprh4q$2f37$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> http://it.geocities.com/consultingst...overy_w2k.html
>>
> Sorry,
> I am afraid I did not take enough time to read the whole article...
> It seems you need the old files:
> C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\Application
> Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\S-1-5-21-1390067357-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxx
> C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
> Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto
> C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
> Application Data\Microsoft\Protect
> C:\Documents and Settings\userwhoencrypted\
> Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates
>
> But, you formatted :-(
> If there's any backup...then it may be very helpful...have you ever
> forgotten the windows logon password?
> Anyway, let us know.
>
> Stefano
>
>
Wandering on the net...found this:
http://www.beginningtoseethelight.or...very/index.php
perhaps, it's worth a try...

Stefano