Can't access EFS files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jack B. Pollack
  • Start date Start date
J

Jack B. Pollack

Have a Win 2K SP4 computer that was not booting. Did a lot of playing around
with it including running the repair option from setup. The system is now
back up and running, but I cant access the encrypted files. I had previously
exported the encryption certificate (pfx file). When I re-import it says
that the import was successful, but the certificates list is still blank.

If I try to open a encrypted document I get a message that I don't have
access privileges. If try to change the encryption attributes of the file I
get an "access denied" error.

The user that encrypted the documents is an administrator. I have also tried
logging in as administrator, but can't access the files. File permissions
are set to "full control" for all users.

There are some events in the system log Event ID 6022 - EFS "Cannot
Create\Open EFSCACHE directory"

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
MORE INFO:

I finally got the certificate to import. I now see "issued to" and the
correct name of the user log on user. The certificate info looks correct. I
am still unable to decrypt/open my files.
 
I am not sure what the private key is (file, code, etc.) The only thing I
have is the exported PFX file, user password & admin password.

Thanks
 
if you find the certificate in cert manager and open it, towards the bottom
of that screen under the valid from/to info, it will say "You have a private
key that corresponds to this certifcate". thats whats needed to decrypt
information.
 
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