Unable to decrypt. Access is denied error.

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I cannot open any files in a folder that is encrypted. I am the administrator
on a Windows XP professional, SP2. I used to be able to access the files
transparently until about 10 days ago. There was a Major “Windows updateâ€
consisting of 8 updates at the same time around June 18th. The problem
occurred after this update.

I have uninstalled the updates & performed a system restore, but still have
the same problem.

My user name and password remain unchanged. I do not have a backup EFS
certificate/key.

I have read the newsgroup postings. It seems the problem happens when the
system is rebuilt. But I have not had any such problem or reinstallation.

Please advise. Thanks.

Rakesh
 
rockykumar said:
I cannot open any files in a folder that is encrypted. I am the
administrator on a Windows XP professional, SP2. I used to be able to
access the files transparently until about 10 days ago. There was a
Major "Windows update" consisting of 8 updates at the same time
around June 18th. The problem occurred after this update.

I have uninstalled the updates & performed a system restore, but
still have the same problem.

My user name and password remain unchanged. I do not have a backup EFS
certificate/key.

I have read the newsgroup postings. It seems the problem happens when
the system is rebuilt. But I have not had any such problem or
reinstallation.

Please advise. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I had nothing but sympathy for you until you stated...
"I do not have a backup EFS certificate/key."

That's a major thing to do - after all you are pretty well making your data
inaccessible without that - and even in this case, albeit unique and
something I cannot say I have seen before in the way you explain it - the
backup could have saved your data. As it is - it may be lost to you
forever.

I am still hopeful (and curious) to see if someone else can help you recover
the data.. don't get me wrong - but whether you get the data back or not -
if you choose to use this technology or something like it in the future -
please make your backups (in every sense of the word.)

(BTW - I have seen this happen when using an external method of changing
your password - like a hack diskette or CD.)

You could read through this forum post - maybe it will help:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20958019.html
 
I have a backup on a external hard disk. But the folder is also encrypted in
much the same way and is also not acessible as it has the same problem.

But in addition to seeking remedy for the problem I would like to know what
happened! I am the owner and creator of the folder as an administrator. Why
can I not access it? What went wrong?

Rakesh
 
rockykumar said:
I have a backup on a external hard disk. But the folder is also encrypted
in
much the same way and is also not acessible as it has the same problem.

But in addition to seeking remedy for the problem I would like to know
what
happened! I am the owner and creator of the folder as an administrator.
Why
can I not access it? What went wrong?

Rakesh
Click to expand...

I have no idea why this happened. Have you looked at the cipher command? It
looks like cipher /u might help. I would try it on a copy of the files
involved. I would also try to use cipher /d to decrypt the files first.

Kerry
 
My guess your keys became corrupted.
If this is the case, the fix is to use the back-up keys you never made.

This is one reason EFS is often called the "Delayed Recycle Bin"

See the links near the bottom of this page for ways to help prevent this in
the future:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/encrypt.htm
 
I tried. The cipher command did not work.

I suspect that I may have changed the password on this account for a
networking issue. But I changed it back to the same old password. If this is
the case is there any hope to recover the files?

Rakesh
 
rockykumar said:
I tried. The cipher command did not work.

I suspect that I may have changed the password on this account for a
networking issue. But I changed it back to the same old password. If
this is the case is there any hope to recover the files?
Click to expand...

Doubtful. And changing the password through normal channels should have had
no effect. Definitely would not if you had a backy key/cert.
 
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