Need help recovering EFS encryped files

[Bill C.]

Hello,

Desperately seeking help recovering EFS encrypted files that have mysteriously
become inaccessible. Doing a little research on the web, I think it has
something to do with the fact the files were created in an account that had no
password. I later added a password. It seems like I as able to access the
files just fine after that but it's been a while so I could be mistaken.
Later I changed the password. The next night when I logged on none of my EFS
encrypted files were accessible. Can't edit, copy or execute. Delete appears
to work just fine .

Anybody know if these files are recoverable? Or am I screwed? Any help
appreciated.

thanks in advance.

Bill

 

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

change the password back

In XP when logged in as an admin there are two ways to change
the password of the logged-in account.
Reset - which does not prompt for current password
Change - which does ask for current password

Reset always breaks access to EFS files for the account whose
password is reset. This is doc'd behavior and prevents and admin
from gaining access to an account's EFS data.

 

[Bill C.]

Hmmm, I wonder if I'm SOL. I have changed my password
back to no password (using change password, not reset) and
it still does not work.

If anybody has any other suggestions I'd greatly appreciate
it. Thanks for the help.

Bill