How do I access my old encryped (backup) files in a newly installed OS?

[Guest]

Hello,

I may have a serious problem on my hands. I recently formatted my root hardrive and did a clean Win XP install. Before doing this, I transferred some files (important files) to my backup hardrive. It appears some of these files were accidentally encryped (green font). Now, when I attempt to access them or try to uncheck the 'encrypt contents to secure data' checkox, I receive an 'access denied' error message. It seems that the OS no longer recognizes my username as the original owner/encrypter of these files. Having encrypted these files accidentally, I obviously have no 'data recovery agent' assigned to these files in my recovery policy. Also, when I attempt to add another user to transparently access these files, I only get a menu with an empty list box (with no option to add other usernames). Are these files lost forever or is there another way to acces or decrypt these files. Please help.

thx
teephish

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

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/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prod
technol/winxppro/deploy/CryptFS.asp

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


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Hello,
|
| I may have a serious problem on my hands. I recently formatted my root hardrive and did a clean Win XP
install. Before doing this, I transferred some files (important files) to my backup hardrive. It appears some
of these files were accidentally encryped (green font). Now, when I attempt to access them or try to uncheck
the 'encrypt contents to secure data' checkox, I receive an 'access denied' error message. It seems that the
OS no longer recognizes my username as the original owner/encrypter of these files. Having encrypted these
files accidentally, I obviously have no 'data recovery agent' assigned to these files in my recovery policy.
Also, when I attempt to add another user to transparently access these files, I only get a menu with an empty
list box (with no option to add other usernames). Are these files lost forever or is there another way to
acces or decrypt these files. Please help.
|
| thx
| teephish

 

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

If you cannot restore the old system to bootability, and you do not have a
complete unmodified backup of the old account's profile, then the files are
forever gone as any new account, even by the same name and pwd will
only have access after the original EFS key has been imported into it.

Hello,

I may have a serious problem on my hands. I recently formatted my root

hardrive and did a clean Win XP install. Before doing this, I transferred
some files (important files) to my backup hardrive. It appears some of these
files were accidentally encryped (green font). Now, when I attempt to access
them or try to uncheck the 'encrypt contents to secure data' checkox, I
receive an 'access denied' error message. It seems that the OS no longer
recognizes my username as the original owner/encrypter of these files.
Having encrypted these files accidentally, I obviously have no 'data
recovery agent' assigned to these files in my recovery policy. Also, when I
attempt to add another user to transparently access these files, I only get
a menu with an empty list box (with no option to add other usernames). Are
these files lost forever or is there another way to acces or decrypt these
files. Please help.

 

[Guest]

you didn't by any chance make a copy of your efs key?

-----Original Message-----
Hello,

I may have a serious problem on my hands. I recently

formatted my root hardrive and did a clean Win XP
install. Before doing this, I transferred some files
(important files) to my backup hardrive. It appears some
of these files were accidentally encryped (green font).
Now, when I attempt to access them or try to uncheck
the 'encrypt contents to secure data' checkox, I receive
an 'access denied' error message. It seems that the OS no
longer recognizes my username as the original
owner/encrypter of these files. Having encrypted these
files accidentally, I obviously have no 'data recovery
agent' assigned to these files in my recovery policy.
Also, when I attempt to add another user to transparently
access these files, I only get a menu with an empty list
box (with no option to add other usernames). Are these
files lost forever or is there another way to acces or
decrypt these files. Please help.