decrypt after re-installing XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kurt
  • Start date Start date
K

Kurt

Hi!

I have a seriouse situation going on and I hope some expert out there can
help me.

Here is what happend
In my computer I have to hard drives (c: and d:). On the drive d: I have a
folder containing pictures, documents and web sites information. Since there
are several users working on the computer I encrypted the folder and the
content.

After one year the c: drive looked rather messed up and I decided to
re-install XP and the programs to clean everything up.

The d: drive was kept as it was, but when I setup the c: drive with
different name, workgroup and accounts I am no not able to decrypt the d:
drive folder content.

Anyone knowing what to do? I have search all sites and specially these two

How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308993

"Access is Denied" Error Message When Encrypting or Decrypting Files or
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;264064

Do I have a chance to get my files intact?

Thank you for any help. I really need it.

Best regards
Kurt Misje
 
Oops! Consider the files gone, unless you have backed up your encryption key
or have designated a recovery agent "prior" to reinstalling XP. The
encryption is very strong. It wouldn't be any good if it weren't.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
Without the encryption key (not the user & password, but the key), there is
nothing a user can do.

If the files are sufficiently important, you could try looking for a
profession data recovery firm. Perhaps one of those has a program that can
break the encryption, and would do so for a fee (usually a high fee). You
would need to send them the hard drive, or at least a bit-by-bit image of
it.
 
Kurt;
Without the necessary keys your data is as good as gone.
Your only chance may be if you can somehow recover the originals from the C
drive.
They must be original and not recreated.

See the links on the bottom of this page for ways to help prevent this in
the future:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm
 
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