recover encryped files

[Ken]

I have a folder of encrypted files. After the files were
encrypted, I had to reinstall windows XP and now I cannot
access that folder. How can I recover these files?

 

[Nicholas]

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 article helps 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/tr...chnet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/CryptFS.asp

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

--
Nicholas

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| I have a folder of encrypted files. After the files were
| encrypted, I had to reinstall windows XP and now I cannot
| access that folder. How can I recover these files?

 

[Roger Abell]

If (any one of)
- you did export the EFS key from the old account
and have not forgotten the password
- you were in a post-NT4 domain
- you have a full backup with system state of the
old system
or
- you have a sufficiently complete copy of the profile
of the old account, and remember that account's
password when last used successfully with EFS
then you do have a chance to get the files back;
otherwise you can say good-bye to the files.