Re: Encryped Files

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

From: Alex Nichol (alexn.mvpdts_at_ntlworld.delete.com)
Date: 09/10/04 

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 14:41:37 +0100

Jorist wrote:

>My computer recently bit the dust, but I was able to salvage the Hard Drive.
>I have some files on the HD there were encrypted that I need to retrieve. I
>have tried installing the HD into a couple of other computers and been
>unable to boot with it. However, I can install it as a slave device. Does
>anyone have any idea how I would be able to recover these encrypted files in
>this situation. I now know that I needed to have some keys backed up but I
>didn't.

I am sorry but if you encrypt files you *must* back up those keys
('certificates') securely off the machine. Without them the files are
utterly irretrievable. That encryption is top level. 

-- 
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.  Alexn@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)

Relevant Pages

  • Keys to encryption
    ... I exported the keys ... Microsoft website but still after installing the keys I cannot ... file recovery certificates when installed on another computer) ... securely encrypt files and bring the keys to the another computer ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Keys to Encryption
    ... I exported the keys ... Microsoft website but still after installing the keys I cannot ... file recovery certificates when installed on another computer) ... securely encrypt files and bring the keys to the another computer ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: Keys to Encryption
    ... the private key and verify that the certificate is in your personal certificate store ... > Microsoft website but still after installing the keys I cannot ... > securely encrypt files and bring the keys to the another computer ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: Protect Key Lost in computer
    ... I assume you used EFS to encrypt your files. ... Have you a suggestion to recover files? ... >> "Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder ... >> torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: EFS Problem
    ... Open a support call and they can walk you through possible steps to recover ... > able to recover the security file of the WINNT directory by running a ... >> I encrypt a file as a user on a workstation. ... >> imported into the Certificates MMC. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)