decrypting files

A

Adam

I had a file encrypted but something went bad with my
computer so I backed up some files and reloaded the OS.
After reloading the OS I cannot access this file anymore,
I cannot decrypt it, I cannot change user permissions on
it, I cannot even add a different user to it even though
my user name is the only administrator on the machine.
The only difference between then and now is a different
user name was used for the last administrator. I tried
to create a new administrator account with the same name
as the last one but it did not work either. Any
thoughts???
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

Adam;
Are you sure it is not an Ownership issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

If the files are encrypted.
If you did not back-up the encryption key or the Recovery Agent and
are not on a domain, the files are as good as gone.
This must be accomplished while you have access to the files.
If you have not already done so, it is now to late.

If you can restore the original profile (not recreate) you may be able
to recover the data.
Recreating profiles and passwords is irrelevant.
Contact Microsoft if you can restore the profile.
Or:
http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php

EFS is very good at what it does and there is no back door.
Read and understand these links before using EFS to keep from
permanently losing your data:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/administration/recovery/default.asp
(58 pages)
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316
 
L

Larry Samuels MS-MVP XP \(Shell/User\)

Unless you had your encryption key backed up or another system on the
network set up as the recovery agent the file is history.
There is no way to recover an encrypted file without the key.

--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://home.earthlink.net/~larrysamuels/WS2003FAQ.htm
Expert Zone -
 

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