Unencrypt an encrypted folder

[Eric]

I have one encrypted folder with multiple sub folders &
files which was encrypted to prevent others from viewing
this folder's items. Recently I did my yearly hard drive
wipe and reinstall of the OS. I backed up all my critical
files and data, performed the wipe & reinstall, and
restored the backed up files. Now I can't open the one
folder that is encrypted.

I've attempted un-encrypting the folder but I keep getting
denied access errors.

Is it possible to restore this one folder & all it's
contents so I can have access again?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have one encrypted folder with multiple sub folders &
files which was encrypted to prevent others from viewing
this folder's items. Recently I did my yearly hard drive
wipe and reinstall of the OS. I backed up all my critical
files and data, performed the wipe & reinstall, and
restored the backed up files. Now I can't open the one
folder that is encrypted.

I've attempted un-encrypting the folder but I keep getting
denied access errors.

Is it possible to restore this one folder & all it's
contents so I can have access again?

Did you back up your key first?
If not, and you're on a standalone machine, you're using a new user ID, so
you're locked out. EFS does work, as you're seeing now.

Why do you do a full reinstall yearly, if I may ask?