How to backup EFS Files on Vista?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bazad
  • Start date Start date
Hi,

You backup the encryption key and certificate. Files can be copied (not
using Vista's backup), but removing them from the system creates a security
risk. EFS should not be used by the casual user, it is designed for use by
companies with sensitive data to protect.

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Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Vista has a new tool called robocopy that can be used in place of a backup
program to make a copy of encrypted files. Robocopy will retain the EFS
metadata on the files. You would need to run it at cmd line in this format:
robocopy <source> <destination> /efsraw

Be sure to also back up your EFS certificate and key to (non-encrypted)
removable media. Help and Support has directions for doing that or you can
use the new EFS tool in Control Panel's User Accounts: "Manage your file
encryption certificates."

Thanks.
Pat
 
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