XP NTFS encryption problem

[jardragon901]

Well I finally took the plunge and built my own comp(very sweet mofo) anyway I used my own hardrives and reinstalled windows on my c: partition with the exact same details and login info. The problem is some of my encrypted files refuse to open for me(which is wierd cause I can still see em). Anybody know of anyway to decrypt em?

p.s. I'm signed in as an administrator.

 

[jardragon901]

bump

 

[Nothinman]

You need the key generated from your last install to decrypt the files, username has nothing to do with it because that wouldn't be very secure at all. You may be able to decrypt them as Administrator which can also decrypt the files by default, but his key is probably different now too since you reinstalled.

I've seen lots of people lose files this way...

 

[HexVector]

You reformated C: with encrypted files still on other partitions? You lost your key and your data. Without the key the only way to get it back is to crack the encryption.

 

[Woodie]

Unless you backed up the Administrator key or your user key *before* you reformatted....you're screwed. Keys are tied to UserID, and are stored in your profile, under Documents & Settings\UserID\...

Each file is encrypted with a randomly generated key, so you can only decrypt one at a time...if you figure out how to break the encryption at all.

--Woodie

 

[jurek2000]

Try to reset ownership on the encrypted files.........

 

[Nothinman]

Try to reset ownership on the encrypted files.........

That won't affect the encrypted data at all, only the ACLs. If he didn't backup the encryption keys before the format he's done.

 

[easternerd]

yes u should have backed up the keys..
Then what is the use of an EF system??
That is what Encryption is all about
Sorry about your data
But if u want more info on Encryption head over to My Website

 

[Mark R]

Unless you backed up the 'recovery agent certificate' before you reinstalled, your data is gone for ever.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Uh oh, not a good idea to reformat and reinstall OS before first decrypting the files with the original account that you encrypted with. The keys are lost and its very hard to gain access to those data, unless like the guys say, you go and crack 'em open.

The key is tied in with the user account. Each user you create is tied to a unique userID. Even though your new install still has a user called administrator, to the system they are two separate entities. That's why if you encrypt, best to export the key, IMO.

GL.
Plucky