Security question

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrB
  • Start date Start date
M

MrB

Computer not on a domain. Windows XP Pro. If I as administrator take
ownership of a user's files and the files are encrypted, will I be able to
read the files?

Thank you
 
MrB said:
Computer not on a domain. Windows XP Pro. If I as administrator take
ownership of a user's files and the files are encrypted, will I be able to
read the files?

Thank you
Click to expand...

File encryption is not in any way linked to file ownership.
 
No, you won't be able to read the files of another user.
That ability would severely cripple EFS rendering it nearly useless.
Taking Ownership will only give you access to the encrypted data, but it is
unreadable by you since it is still encrypted.
 
No, you need the encryption certificate or a recovery agent created by that
installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
MrB said:
Computer not on a domain. Windows XP Pro. If I as administrator take
ownership of a user's files and the files are encrypted, will I be able to
read the files?

Thank you
Click to expand...

No, your account needs to be listed as a recovery agent.

HOW TO: Share Access to an Encrypted File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308991

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

How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private
key in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=241201

How to add an EFS recovery agent in Windows XP Professional
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=887414
 
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