Decrypt Files and Folders

[Tom N]

OK, I've been to the kb and the support from within windows. Here's my
problem. I am running WinXP Pro SP2. I encrypted "My Documents" and later
forgot that I did. I was preparing to reformat my drive, so I copied the
encrypted folder to another drive connected to my computer. I reformatted the
original and put a fresh new os on it. I went to restore "my documents" only
not to have permission to do so. I restarted in Safe Mode thinking that I can
just take ownership under the tabs "properties" "security". I check listed
"full control" to my new user id, and was unable to change "special
permissions". In the advanced menu, I tried to almost everything, nothing
worked. I dont have the original "key" and it was "not inherited" from the
"creator or parent(s)". What can I do to decrypt my folder?

[Og]

Windows encryption really _is_ effective; without a key you are left with
the data-security adage:
"Given enough time, enough computing resources, and enough money, any
code can be broken."
Steve

"Tom N" > wrote in message
...
> OK, I've been to the kb and the support from within windows. Here's my
> problem. I am running WinXP Pro SP2. I encrypted "My Documents" and later
> forgot that I did. I was preparing to reformat my drive, so I copied the
> encrypted folder to another drive connected to my computer. I reformatted
> the
> original and put a fresh new os on it. I went to restore "my documents"
> only
> not to have permission to do so. I restarted in Safe Mode thinking that I
> can
> just take ownership under the tabs "properties" "security". I check listed
> "full control" to my new user id, and was unable to change "special
> permissions". In the advanced menu, I tried to almost everything, nothing
> worked. I dont have the original "key" and it was "not inherited" from the
> "creator or parent(s)". What can I do to decrypt my folder?

[GreenieLeBrun]

"Tom N" > wrote in message
...
> OK, I've been to the kb and the support from within windows. Here's my
> problem. I am running WinXP Pro SP2. I encrypted "My Documents" and later
> forgot that I did. I was preparing to reformat my drive, so I copied the
> encrypted folder to another drive connected to my computer. I reformatted
> the
> original and put a fresh new os on it. I went to restore "my documents"
> only
> not to have permission to do so. I restarted in Safe Mode thinking that I
> can
> just take ownership under the tabs "properties" "security". I check listed
> "full control" to my new user id, and was unable to change "special
> permissions". In the advanced menu, I tried to almost everything, nothing
> worked. I dont have the original "key" and it was "not inherited" from the
> "creator or parent(s)". What can I do to decrypt my folder?

As you did not back up your encryption key then, for all intents and
purposes, your data is gone for good. For future reference you may like to
read the followin articles :-

The Encrypting File System
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/cryptographyetc/efs.mspx

Best practices for the Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316/en-us

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/kb/241201

[Tom N]

You know, it's funny. I always tell the kids to make multiple backups on a
regular basis. But I never do myself lol. Guess I learned something, thanks
all for your help.