Encryption Key export

[Steve Mavronis]

I was messing around testing compressed folders and encryption options.
Anyway it was just a test and the folder in question doesn't matter to me.
But it prompted me to backup an encryption certificate key afterwards which
I did. Since this was a test only is it okay if I delete the pfx file? Or
should I save it if that is the only certificate key I'll have?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

Your backuped certificate will use to encrypting/decrypting to farther
operating so you can keep your backup - but not necessarily. You can get
access to it e.g. from Run -> certmgr.msc console and export keys any
moment.
Only need remember that if you reinstall your system, you will need recovery
your keys from backup.

Marcin Domaslawski

 

[Steve Mavronis]

Thanks but the key was made on a temporary test folder that doesn't exist
anymore. So does that key matter anymore?

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

Certificate to encrypting is created when 1st time you cipher file or folder
and is used for next times. Even when your folder doesnt exist any longer,
certificate will still exist (in Personal container).


Marcin Domaslawski

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I was messing around testing compressed folders and encryption
options. Anyway it was just a test and the folder in question doesn't
matter to me. But it prompted me to backup an encryption certificate
key afterwards which I did. Since this was a test only is it okay if
I delete the pfx file? Or should I save it if that is the only
certificate key I'll have?
Thanks,

Steve

some light reading for you

The Encrypting File System
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/cryptographyetc/efs.mspx

Best practices for the Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316/en-us

How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key
in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241201

How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308989

How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308993

How To Encrypt a File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307877

HOW TO: Share Access to an Encrypted File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308991