K.G. said:
If I forgot to backup the cretificate, and XP crashed,
after I reinstall windows xp, can I re-open those
encrypted files?
No
You need one of :
1. bootable system where files were encrypted, and
ability to log in with encrypting account without
resetting its password (ie. restore from full backup)
2. exported cert/key from prior system and password
used to secure the export pfx file
3. complete unaltered backup of profile of account of
the old system and password of that account, plus
either time and skill or money for third-party or to
have MS support use reccerts for you.
4. exported cert/key from a DRA you configured before
the files were encryped
5. access to a domain level DRA if the machine was a
member of an up-level domain when the files were
encrypted with a domain account.
If none of these are available to you then your files are gone.
