Problem with XP Encrypted Files

[Guest]

Hi all. I had used the built in XP encryption on all of my files in My Documents folder. I recently did a clean install on my PC, and I copied the My Documents folder to a different partition while I re-installed windows on my main partition. Of course I didn't de-crypt my files when I copied them over. After I did my clean install, I copied my files back to my main partition in the My Documents folder. Now I can not view any of the files. They are all encrypted and I can't de-crypt them.

Is there a way to decrypt them now? I am using the same copy of XP I orginially installed. I did change my username & computer name with this fresh install. Would it work if I did another fresh install with my original computer name and username? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Before you encrypt anything important, you should back up your
personal encryption certificate (with its associated private key)
and the recovery agent certificate to a floppy disk and store it in
a secure location. If you ever lose your original certificate
(because of a hard disk failure, for example), you can restore
the backup copy and regain access to your files. If you lose all
copies of your certificate (and no recovery agent certificates exist),
you won't be able to use your encrypted files. No back door exists,
nor is there any practical way to hack these files.
(If there were, it wouldn't be very good encryption.)

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/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/cryptfs.mspx

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/

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| Hi all. I had used the built in XP encryption on all of my files in My Documents folder. I recently did a
clean install on my PC, and I copied the My Documents folder to a different partition while I re-installed
windows on my main partition. Of course I didn't de-crypt my files when I copied them over. After I did my
clean install, I copied my files back to my main partition in the My Documents folder. Now I can not view any
of the files. They are all encrypted and I can't de-crypt them.
|
| Is there a way to decrypt them now? I am using the same copy of XP I orginially installed. I did change my
username & computer name with this fresh install. Would it work if I did another fresh install with my
original computer name and username? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Hi all. I had used the built in XP encryption on all of my files in
My Documents folder. I recently did a clean install on my PC, and I
copied the My Documents folder to a different partition while I
re-installed windows on my main partition. Of course I didn't
de-crypt my files when I copied them over.

And nor could you.

After I did my clean

install, I copied my files back to my main partition in the My
Documents folder. Now I can not view any of the files. They are all
encrypted and I can't de-crypt them.

Yes, and that's the way they're gonna stay - otherwise what would be the
point of encryption?!

Is there a way to decrypt them now?

Nope (unless you backed up the encryption key and, if you had, you wouldn't
be posting)

I am using the same copy of XP I

orginially installed. I did change my username & computer name with
this fresh install. Would it work if I did another fresh install
with my original computer name and username?

Nope. Windows generates a new (unique) key with each installation or repair
installation. Unless you pay a file recovery company you might as well have
formatted.

 

[CS]

Hi all. I had used the built in XP encryption on all of my files in My Documents folder. I recently did a clean install on my PC, and I copied the My Documents folder to a different partition while I re-installed windows on my main partition. Of course I didn't de-crypt my files when I copied them over. After I did my clean install, I copied my files back to my main partition in the My Documents folder. Now I can not view any of the files. They are all encrypted and I can't de-crypt them.

Is there a way to decrypt them now? I am using the same copy of XP I orginially installed. I did change my username & computer name with this fresh install. Would it work if I did another fresh install with my original computer name and username? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

If you didn't backup and save your encryption certificate (key), kiss
your documents goodbye forever. Unless of course you know someone who
works for the CIA or NSA who would be willing to decrypt them for you.
Sorry, but there just isn't any way to get them back unless you saved
that key certificate.