Encrypted files won't allow access

[Guest]

Hi guys, I have a folder on my computer in which I keep a few encrypted
files. I have 2 hard-drives on this machine. I just recently
formated/reinstalled xp on C: drive. Before doin that, I moved all my data to
second hard-drive (f. But after reinstalling windows, I can't open any of
my encrypted files any more. It just keeps sayin that access is denied. Is
there a way I can work around this issue?

 

[David Candy]

No. Suggest you read about it in help for future reference about how to save encryption info for recovery.

 

[Guest]

Hi guys, I have a folder on my computer in which I keep a few
encrypted
files. I have 2 hard-drives on this machine. I just recently
formated/reinstalled xp on C: drive. Before doin that, I moved all my
data to
second hard-drive (f. But after reinstalling windows, I can't open
any of
my encrypted files any more. It just keeps sayin that access is
denied. Is
there a way I can work around this issue?

Import the EFS certificate you were supposed to export under the
instance of Windows in which you employed EFS. When you employ EFS, you
need to export its certificate (to a floppy, CD, upload to online
storage, or wherever you like). Then when your hard drive crashes or
you need to reinstall the OS, and because you will get a different
account (the name is for your convenience but will be a logically
distinct account), you'll need to import the EFS certificate that was
used to encrypt those files.

Start -> Help and Support -> search on "EFS export".

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ricky;
Did you save the necessary keys?
If not, your data is most likely gone for good.
See the links near the bottom of this page for ways to help prevent data
loss from EFS in the future:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ricky,

As others have pointed out, you need the encryption certificate or a
recovery agent from the original installation to get at them. However, are
you sure they were encrypted? If not, it may simply be an ownership issue
(which also causes the "access denied" error), and can be easily corrected.

Please see this link on "taking ownership" of a folder:
http://rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Taking_ownership

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi guys, I have a folder on my computer in which I keep a few encrypted
files. I have 2 hard-drives on this machine. I just recently
formated/reinstalled xp on C: drive. Before doin that, I moved all my data to
second hard-drive (f. But after reinstalling windows, I can't open any of
my encrypted files any more. It just keeps sayin that access is denied. Is
there a way I can work around this issue?

If the your encryption certificates and keys were not backed up
before the reinstallation, and the workstation isn't part of a domain,
those files are gone, for all practical purposes. Encryption works
well and there is no "back door" or hack to access the files.
(Wouldn't be much point to EFS if it were vulnerable.)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Guest]

... Encryption works
well and there is no "back door" or hack to access the files.
(Wouldn't be much point to EFS if it were vulnerable.)

Now if they would only do the same for login credentials in Longhorn to
eliminate all those crack tools used to bypass that circumventable
security.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Simple physical security resolves that problem.
There is no security without physical security.

 

[Guest]

Simple physical security resolves that problem.
There is no security without physical security.

But I keep forgetting about the electric trap in my deskchair. I now
have no hair anywhere. Electrolysis extreme. ;->