XP Pro encrypted files/directories using EFS

[Nocturnal]

There's pretty much no way to get the files decrypted without that key, right? I mean without going through some type of crazy data recovery process and even then, this is encryption we're talking about here...

What are the chances of getting the files viewable again without the encryption key?

 

[stash]

What are the chances of getting the files viewable again without the encryption key

Essentially zero. If 256-bit AES was cracked, it would be big news.

 

[Nothinman]

There's pretty much no way to get the files decrypted without that key, right? I mean without going through some type of crazy data recovery process and even then, this is encryption we're talking about here...

Yea, bruteforcing the key would take many, many years unless you just happen to get lucky and it's one of the first keys to try.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

There's pretty much no way to get the files decrypted without that key, right? I mean without going through some type of crazy data recovery process and even then, this is encryption we're talking about here...

Yea, bruteforcing the key would take many, many years unless you just happen to get lucky and it's one of the first keys to try.

I believe that the heat death of the universe would happen, before one of those keys were bruteforced.

 

[Nothinman]

I believe that the heat death of the universe would happen, before one of those keys were bruteforced.

Maybe or one could get lucky and have the right key be one of the first ones tried.

 

[Rottie]

next time and before you password locked files and folders always back up all unencrypted files and folders in case you lost your password I learned the hard way when I got XP Pro long time ago I lost everything that really mean alot to me

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks guys.

 

[BigToque]

This probably sounds retarded, but if you know the password, couldn't you just regenerate the key? (I really don't know how encryption works)

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: BigToque
This probably sounds retarded, but if you know the password, couldn't you just regenerate the key? (I really don't know how encryption works)

No. In Windows, the password is used to protect the key, but has nothing to do with generating it.