Can't read encrypted files after reinstall

[281 cu. in.]

I used to have Windows 2000 with 128-bit encryption, I encrypted some files
on my other NTFS partition then formated my system drive and installed
windows again. Now I can not access those files.

Security rights for those encrypted files are such that Everyone has full
access. The folder and sub folder and files are all encrypted. Now when
accessed I get access denied errors, however, browsing of directories are
ok.

What can I do?

Those files aren't that important, however I want to know what I did wrong
here so that I don't make the same mistake again in the feature.

Please help,


Alex

 

[Danny Sanders]

You needed to have exported the recovery agent and private key. Then
imported them after you reinstalled.
See:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;241201

hth
DDS W 2k MVP MCSE

 

[Steven L Umbach]

The other posts tell it like it is. There is a possiblilty of
recovering after a reinstall only if the user profiles are still intact or
in a backup. But in your situation, that does not sound likely. Here is a
link to a very good KB article about EFS best practices. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;223316

 

[281 cu. in.]

And so I lost tons of porn downloaded over two years. ;-) Good thing I
didn't encrypt everything else.


Alex

 

[281 cu. in.]

I followed the steps in that article you gave me. I also encrypted the
exported file with PGP and created 3 backups.

One of the step in the export wizard was " Delete the private key if the
export is successful", what's the use of that? After everything was done I
tried exporting again and it had no private key, only certificate, however
encryption/decription of files works fine.


Alex