Re: encrypted windows 2000 folder problem.

From: Brian Komar [MVP] (bkomar_at_nospam.identit.ca)
Date: 09/19/05 

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 15:07:32 -0500

In article <1127158186.096550.136490@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
chang_shen@progressive.com says...
> Hi, greeting:
>
> I have an encrypted folder in windows 2000 filesystem. Now I want to
> deencrypt this folder. But anytime when I try to do so, it fails. I
> could not open any files inside this folder. I can move this folder
> and the its files to another folder in the save drive but not to
> another drive. I cannot copy this folder and its files to any place
> including another folder in the same drive. I can change permission of
> the folder and its files. Any people have see this kind problem
> before?
>
> Thanks
>
> CS
>
>
Have you deleted your profile or rebuilt the computer recently? If so,
did you back up your EFS certificate and private key.
Load the WIndows 2000 Support Tools and run "efsinfo /r /u /c"
This will give you the thumbprints of the certificates required to
decrypt the files. There will be both a user and recovery agent
certificate that can be used.

Finally, load the Certificates MMC console focused on the Current User.
Ensure that you have:
- a certificate with the same thumbprint shown in the EFSINFO output
- You have the private key associated with the certificate (shown on the
General tab)

My guess, you rebuilt, did not backup the private key, so it is not in
your profile. Unless you have a PKCS#12 backup, your files are gone for
good

Brian

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