RE: Data Encryption

From: Chris Palmer (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 03/26/04 

Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 06:31:08 -0800

Your subject line says "Data Encryption", but you say your using XP Home?

"The Encrypting File System (EFS), found in Windows XP Professional but not Windows XP Home Edition, ..."

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

If you used EFS to encrypt your folders/files, but didn't make a backup of your private key to open them, then I fear you have lost your files.

"Best Practices for the Encrypting File System"

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

and

"5-Minute Security Advisor - Recovering Encrypted Data Using EFS"

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/5min/5min-401.mspx
     
     ----- Graham wrote: -----
     
     I have Windows XP Home Edition, i set myself a user
     account with a password. A few days ago i booted up my
     computer and it was about to load the "welcome" screen and
     the an error box popped up with "Delayed Write Failed" as
     the header and it says the data is lost. (lots of these
     keep popping up)
     
     I click ok to these boxes and eventually the windows logon
     page is displayed, i enter my password and it verifies and
     starts to log me on but then the errors come up again and
     then windows goes to the "blue screen"
     
     I need my data stored in my documents so i took the drive
     out and put it in another computer. All the data is still
     present on the drive and i did a virus scan on it which it
     passed. I then wanted to copy my document to the hard
     drive of the computer i booted up on. I went
     into "documents and settings" and located my folder but
     when i hover the mouse over the folder it says the folder
     is empty. If i double click the folder i get the "Access
     Denied" error message! I then tried to copy the folder to
     the hard drive and i got the same message again! Please
     help me as i REALLY need that data as i haven't got it
     back-up!
     

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Encrypted Folders...?
    ... Windows XP I used my Administrator accout to make ... I made read only and Encrypted Super folder or outer ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ... How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: File and Folder Encryption Usage
    ... EFS works very well. ... > I wish to use the built-in encryption features of Windows XP ... How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Encrypted Folders...?
    ... Windows XP I used my Administrator accout to make ... I made read only and Encrypted Super folder or outer ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ... How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Loss of computer - how much does the password protect?
    ... protect the data? ... the following articiles, but BE WARNED, using EFS incorrectly can make your ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ... in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Need help with encrypted files
    ... I'm not sure exactly how it was done, but that particular folder name ... Otherwise here are some links about the encrypting file system in XP and best practices for it. ... At the end I have listed a couple of links to articles on how to try to recover the data if no recovery agent was designated and if the key and certificate were not backed up. ... Encrypting File System in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)