how can i find which files Vista has encrypted?

  • Thread starter Thread starter casey chesnut
  • Start date Start date
C

casey chesnut

i'm about to move from RC2 to RTM of Vista.
a couple times during RC2, it has popped up a dialog asking if i want to
backup my keys used for encryption.
this was a bit of a surprise because i don't remember even turning
encryption on ... i'm assuming its not on by default?
anyway, i'd like to know how i can find out which files are being protected
with encryption before i transfer to a new machine.

Thanks,
casey
 
Casey,

You can see if a folder is encrypted just by looking at it. If the text
following the icon is green, then EFS is doing it's thing on this folder.
This can be changed by right clicking on the folder, choosing advanced on
the general tab and unchecking Encrypt the contents to secure data. This is
not on by default, by the way. I don't know of any way to find these
folders other than looking through the file structure in Windows Explorer.

Hope this helps!

-Ben

______________
Ben Miller
CISSP
GSEC
Security+
 
Ben Miller said:
Casey,

You can see if a folder is encrypted just by looking at it. If the text
following the icon is green, then EFS is doing it's thing on this folder.
This can be changed by right clicking on the folder, choosing advanced on
the general tab and unchecking Encrypt the contents to secure data. This
is not on by default, by the way. I don't know of any way to find these
folders other than looking through the file structure in Windows Explorer.
Click to expand...


Except that that can be turned off. Although I don't know why anyone would.
 
I don't know if it will work with Vista. I'm on my XP pc right now. Try the
cipher command.

cipher /s:c:\ /q > "%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\encrypted.txt"

This will list all the folders on C:\ and their encryption status in a file
called encryption.txt in My Documents.

Let us know if it works in Vista.
 
Hi,

Yes, the /q for query still work in Vista.
Unfortunately, this isn't the best tools/switch as it will list each and
every folders and definitely not good for the entire c: drive. You will be
overwhelm by the listing, :-)

You can try cipher /N /U instead.
It will check your entire drive and locate only encrypted files.

Cheers.

Lawrence N
 
Back
Top