Vista Ultimate Encryption

[Lorin]

Encryption is not explained well.
If my PC session does not have a log on password, then what is used for the
encryption?

Currently I start the PC, click my user icon (no password) and can go in and
encrypt files.
But what is going on?
Are they really encrypted?
What is it using to encrypt with since I did not have to use a password to
start the user session?

I really do not what to have a password to start the windows session.
Is there some place to go to enter a password for encryption and not for log
on?

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

Hi Lorin,

you are right that it's not described well.
When you encrypted your first file an EFS certificate was created in your
profile.
You MUST save this cerificate, otherwise, if you loose it, you will loose
all your encrypted files.
Proceed as follows:
Start, Run
mmc
File, Add/Remove Snap-in: Certificates>Add>My user Account>Finish>OK
Expand:Certificates-Current User, Personal, Certificates
Right click on the certificate, All tasks, Export,
In the Cerificate export wizard:
Welcome... - Next
Export Private key - Yes, export private key
Export File format - Next
Password - whatever, Next
File to export:MyEFSCert, Next, Next
Completing - Finish

After successful export, copy exported file to a safe place and keep it
safe.

If you reinstall your computer, or recreate your profile (if it gets
corrupted), use this file and import it to your new profile.

 

[Tae Song]

Encryption is not explained well.
If my PC session does not have a log on password, then what is used for
the encryption?

Currently I start the PC, click my user icon (no password) and can go in
and encrypt files.
But what is going on?
Are they really encrypted?
What is it using to encrypt with since I did not have to use a password to
start the user session?

I really do not what to have a password to start the windows session.
Is there some place to go to enter a password for encryption and not for
log on?

I think it's to prevent someone from using utilities like NTFS4DOS or
anything that can bypasses Windows security from reading it. If you don't
password protect your Windows that's your problem.