encryption query

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Guest

I have encountered a bit of a disaster - I encrypted information on my hard
drive, made a copy on a separate drive and then, after several problems,
reformatted my computer using its disks. I have re-loaded the encrypted
files, but now find I have no access to them. It is the same machine and I
havent really changed any of the settings.

Is there anything I can do to get these files back?

Any help gratefully received.
 
praetor said:
I have encountered a bit of a disaster - I encrypted information on
my hard drive, made a copy on a separate drive and then, after
several problems, reformatted my computer using its disks. I have
re-loaded the encrypted files, but now find I have no access to them.
It is the same machine and I havent really changed any of the
settings.

Is there anything I can do to get these files back?

Any help gratefully received.
Click to expand...

Unless you made the recommended recovery disk for the encryption processes,
no. The encryption codes were all re-created when you reinstalled and are
different from when it was first encrypted. If you want to spend money, I
think there are places that can do it, but I don't think it can be done with
XP or any tools available. BTDT, but ONLY once!! <g>
I'd love to be wrong, and I'll be watching the thread for a way to do it,
but I think you can kiss the data goodbye.

Pop`
 
Without a saved "Password Reset Disk" the files are unreadable by design.
I have heard a few claim it can be cracked, but I've never seen anyone post
how they did it.

HOW TO Back Up Your Encrypting File System Private Key (Q241201):
http://support.microsoft.com/suppor...&qry=&rnk=14&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=WINXP

223316 - Best Practices for Encrypting File System:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316

encryption explained DPAPI password:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...-us/dnsecure/html/windataprotection-dpapi.asp

Encryption: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q241/2/01.ASP
Restore: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q242/2/96.ASP
 
Quote "Encryption is transparent to the user that encrypted the file. This
means that you do not have to manually decrypt the encrypted file before you
can use it. You can open and change the file as you normally do."

Note "...is transparent to the user that encrypted the file....". It may a
question of establishing ownership.
 
Ownership is not enough, the original keys are also needed.
The keys can not be recreated, the only hope is to recover the original
keys.
As far as the encryption is concerned the original user does not exist.
 
Hi Jupiter - doesnt sound good does it?

Any articles or tips on how I might go about recovering the original keys or
the profile?

Would be grateful for any pointers.

Thanks.
 
Thanks Jupiter - I ran the programme which scanned for older files - however,
I do not know what I am looking for. Can you direct me along a useful path -
sorry for the additional messages.
 
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