Re: can't decrypt EFS encrypted files

From: Jupiter Jones [MVP] (jones_jupiter_at_hotnomail.com)
Date: 10/30/03 

Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 18:17:45 -0700

Sadly, I believe the files were destroyed by the file conversion.
There is a myth on the net that doing just that will decrypt the data.
If it were that simple EFS would be worthless.

EFS is such that if something goes wrong, the data is effectively
destroyed as opposed to decrypted for a thief.
This is another reason for back-ups in a secure location appropriate
to the importance of the data.. 

-- 
Jupiter Jones  [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html
"NTex" <online@sapo.pt> wrote in message
news:uSgNUnnnDHA.2444@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Sadly it's, one point files on this moment are encripted but Windows
doesn't
> know that because of that little trick with PM7,
> Second point, It's the same Windows instalation, all the users are
the same,
> so is it possible to create a key to recover files even with that
little
> problem mention before ?
>
>
> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> escreveu na
mensagem
> news:OFw8SWnnDHA.424@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Are you sure it is not an Ownership issue:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
> >
> > If the files are encrypted.
> > If you did not back-up the encryption key or the Recovery Agent
and
> > are not on a domain, the files are as good as gone.
> > This must be accomplished while you have access to the files.
> > If you have not already done so, it is now to late.
> >
> > If you can restore the original profile (not recreate) and know
the
> > password, you may be able to recover the data.
> > Recreating profiles and passwords is irrelevant.
> > Contact Microsoft if you can restore the profile.
> > Or:
> > http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php
> >
> > EFS is very good at what it does and there is no back door.
> > Read and understand these links before using EFS to keep from
> > permanently losing your data:
> >
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/administration/recovery/default.asp
> > (58 pages)
> > http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316
> >
> > -- 
> > Jupiter Jones  [MVP]
> > An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
> > http://dts-l.org/index.html
> >
> >
> > "NTex" <online@sapo.pt> wrote in message
> > news:uPr5%23ZmnDHA.1740@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > Greetings everyone,
> > >
> > > I have a serious problem, I had encripted files using EFS of
Windows
> > XP SP1,
> > > then later on I had troubles with access them, then a friend of
mine
> > > converted the partition NTFS to FAT32 and then again to NTFS
(using
> > > Partition Magic 7) with a hope that the files would lose their
> > information
> > > that were encripted but, this only made the things worst
because,
> > now XP
> > > doesn't recognized them as encripted and they still are
encripted,
> > after
> > > this I soon discovered that is possible to create Recovery Agent
> > from a file
> > > with the cipher command - ex. "cipher /r:example.txt", with this
> > certificate
> > > generated by this cipher util, I created a agent user recovery
but,
> > since
> > > the XP doesn't know this files are encripted, I tried to force a
> > decrypt
> > > using cipher - "cipher /d /f /a example.txt" - but, still
doesn't
> > work,
> > > anyone can help with this huge problem, this files are very
> > important to me,
> > > please. Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > NTex
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: WIN2000 Encrypted Folders & Administrator Profile
    ... If you know the password to the old administrator account and have the old profile ... The EFS private keys used are stored in the ... profile of the user and Recovery Agent for those files. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: decrypt files after lost pub/priv keys - possible?
    ... Drive C that contained your operating system and user profiles also contained the EFS ... private keys needed to decrypt those files. ... users and recovery agent's profiles and unless you ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: RE:file encryption
    ... The private keys that are used to decrypt EFS files are stored in the user ... profile and local administrator profile and available to export ... not have backup copies of your EFS encryption keys or user profiles at a time ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: Offline files problem - some files lost from View Offline File
    ... I'm not an EFS expert, ... > documentation and look for recovery agent. ... > Windows Vista - Offline Files / CSC Feature ... >> Neither my local or my network administrator account can decrypt the ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.file_system)
  • Re: Offline files problem - some files lost from View Offline File
    ... I'm not an EFS expert, ... documentation and look for recovery agent. ... I've also turned off encryption on the offline ... > Neither my local or my network administrator account can decrypt the ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.file_system)