Accessing EFS data copied to FAT 32 volume?

[Guest]

I have Windows XP. The Xp got corrupted and I had to reinstall the copy.
before i do that i copy some EFS files to a FAT32 drive using NTFS reader.
Now I have that data on FAT 32 drive. I haven't formatted the XP (NTFS )
harddisk and I used the Advanced EFS Data recovery software to scan for keys
and cerificate. and it decrypted the data. Now I deleted that data on NTFS
and it cannot be undeleted. I still have the previous keys which i can find
using Advanced EFS Data recovery software.
NOW CAN I use those keys to decrypt/access the data I copied to FAT 32 drive
using NTFS reader.? The data on FAT 32 drive doesn't show encrypted in
attributes as its on FAT 32. and Hence Advanced EFS Data recovery software
can scan those files as EFS files.?
Any HELP is greatly appreciated.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

EFS encryption is only available for files and folders that are on NTFS-formatted drives.
If you managed to copy encrypted data from a drive formatted NTFS to a drive formatted
FAT32, that data is now corrupt and unrecoverable.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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:

| I have Windows XP. The Xp got corrupted and I had to reinstall the copy.
| before i do that i copy some EFS files to a FAT32 drive using NTFS reader.
| Now I have that data on FAT 32 drive. I haven't formatted the XP (NTFS )
| harddisk and I used the Advanced EFS Data recovery software to scan for keys
| and cerificate. and it decrypted the data. Now I deleted that data on NTFS
| and it cannot be undeleted. I still have the previous keys which i can find
| using Advanced EFS Data recovery software.
| NOW CAN I use those keys to decrypt/access the data I copied to FAT 32 drive
| using NTFS reader.? The data on FAT 32 drive doesn't show encrypted in
| attributes as its on FAT 32. and Hence Advanced EFS Data recovery software
| can scan those files as EFS files.?
| Any HELP is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

It sounds like you have destroyed the data.
FAT 32 does not support EFS.

Your only chance may be if the encrypted data is still available in the NTFS
drive.
Placing the data back to an NTFS drive may not be sufficient.

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