Accessing Encrypted File

Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?
Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma

sorry for not being helpful
I hate using windows encryption without first test saving the key and test
on some folders I have back up first.


why, because I had been burned before though not that I missed the info much
as I did have backup locked away

If you have not reset password by administrator, if can try using administor
ID to decrypt the files assuming your EFS recovery agent is administrator

you can try Google
site:Microsoft.com efs decryption by administrator
or use live search

"ma" wrote in message
...
Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?
Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma

"ma" wrote in
:

Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?

You should have backed up your encryption keys before committing data
to EFS.

Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma




Sorry, but with no certificates you cannot access the files.

You might try doing a System Restore to an earlier time when your
certificates existed. Maybe the certificates would reappear.
Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore
You might have to do this in Safe mode.

IMHO, I believe the freeware "Truecrypt" to be a much better solution
than EFS for securing files. I have used it since version 1 and have
never lost a single file. I never would trust any operaiting system
(particularly Windows) to maintain my encryption keys.

HTH,
John

Thanks, but restore probably wouldn't help since a
certificate was never created when I encrypted the
folders.

ma


"John Wunderlich" wrote in message
03...
"ma" wrote in
:

Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?

You should have backed up your encryption keys before committing data
to EFS.

Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma




Sorry, but with no certificates you cannot access the files.

You might try doing a System Restore to an earlier time when your
certificates existed. Maybe the certificates would reappear.
Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore
You might have to do this in Safe mode.

IMHO, I believe the freeware "Truecrypt" to be a much better solution
than EFS for securing files. I have used it since version 1 and have
never lost a single file. I never would trust any operaiting system
(particularly Windows) to maintain my encryption keys.

HTH,
John

Thanks. I did login as the admin and took ownership etc.
Nothing seams to be helping.
It wouldn't bother me as much if I had done a format
or re install or something. I just followed MS guidelines.

My advice to anyone on Windows. DO NOT use
EFS to encrypt your files.

ma


"GS" wrote in message
...
sorry for not being helpful
I hate using windows encryption without first test saving the key and test
on some folders I have back up first.


why, because I had been burned before though not that I missed the info
much
as I did have backup locked away

If you have not reset password by administrator, if can try using
administor
ID to decrypt the files assuming your EFS recovery agent is administrator

you can try Google
site:Microsoft.com efs decryption by administrator
or use live search

"ma" wrote in message
...
Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?
Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma

here is some details
on the subject:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc875821.aspx


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"ma" wrote in message
...
Hello there,
I have a big problem and do not know where to turn for help!

A few days ago I encrypted a few folders with some
important files using XP SP3 EFS procedures.
(right click, properties, advance, etc).

Then I tried to export the cert to a thumb drive.
But doing:
Internet Explorer 8 Tools Internet Options Content Certificates
It was blank. No cert at all. This gave me a bad feeling.
Immediately I started Windows Explorer & tried to open an
encrypted file, but to my fear I go access denied message.

Now, I am the same user, no format no new installation of XP.

What did I do wrong?
Is there a way to decrypt these folders?

Thanks for any help.
ma