recover EFS certificate/key without the wizard/cipher.exe

[OM]

Hi,

I have a system crash and it was unable to boot anymore. I managed to
recover the files using a file recovery tool. However, my new XP
installation doesn't see the EFS encrypted files properly. Since I
didn't follow the MS KB to export the certificate/key beforehand, I am
just wondering if there is anyway I can "export" the certificate/key
directly from the files (I still can see the file from the old profile
location).

Thanks

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi,

I have a system crash and it was unable to boot anymore. I managed to
recover the files using a file recovery tool. However, my new XP
installation doesn't see the EFS encrypted files properly. Since I
didn't follow the MS KB to export the certificate/key beforehand, I am
just wondering if there is anyway I can "export" the certificate/key
directly from the files (I still can see the file from the old profile
location).

Thanks

No, alas, not that I'm aware of. You have now demonstrated successfully that
EFS actually works!
It's important to do regular backups *and* keep a copy of your key in a safe
place (or two).

Acronis TrueImage (Home or Workstation) may be useful to you moving forward.