Can't remove encryption from my files!

[Joe]

Hi Everybody:

Ok let me give you some background. I have two drives: C:/
that contains my programs and system files and D:/ that
contains my personal files like pictures, text, etc... One
of the folders is encrypted and all the folders and files
in it is encypted. I just recently re-formatted my c:
drive and reinstalled Windows XP Pro and I wanted to open
my files in the encrypted folder, but it keeps saying
access denied. I've tried to remove the encryption in
Administrator, but it doesn't want to let me. I was
wondering if there is a way to force Windows XP to remove
the encryption on my folder?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Ok let me give you some background. I have two drives: C:/
that contains my programs and system files and D:/ that
contains my personal files like pictures, text, etc... One
of the folders is encrypted and all the folders and files
in it is encypted. I just recently re-formatted my c:
drive and reinstalled Windows XP Pro and I wanted to open
my files in the encrypted folder, but it keeps saying
access denied. I've tried to remove the encryption in
Administrator, but it doesn't want to let me. I was
wondering if there is a way to force Windows XP to remove
the encryption on my folder?

First, the hard cold reality then any hope you may have...

You have likely lost all access (permanently) to the encrypted files. If you
had understood how they worked, you would not have re-installed without
going through steps to insure you could decrypt the files later (or done it
then.)

Is there any hope? Maybe, doubtful, but MAYBE....

See if any of the advice from Carey Frisch in these forums helps any...

HOW TO: Remove File Encryption in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308993

Without a backup of the original Encryption Certificate Key, encrypted files
are unrecoverable as they will stay encrypted forever. There is no recovery
method since the encryption algorithm is now completely different with a
reinstall of Windows XP.

See if the following articles help in any way:

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

Best Practices for the Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

Encrypting File System in Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...chnet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/CryptFS.asp

EFS Files Appear Corrupted When You Open Them
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;329741

 

[Guest]

If you did not back up the encryption key prior to the format I am sorry to say that you are out of luck.....Only this key can unlock them.

 

[NobodyMan]

If you did not back up the encryption key prior to the format I am sorry to say that you are out of luck.....Only this key can unlock them.

Of course, if you have friends at the NSA ad they have access to one
or two supercomputers, then you might just have a fighting chance at
data recovery.