Unable to install encryption cipher recovery certificate

  • Thread starter Thread starter garfield19
  • Start date Start date
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garfield19

Hi, I had earlier encrypted a few files while using my laptop with XP
Professional. Now I have a new Sony VAIO with Windows Visa Home Premium
installed in it. As my earlier latop crashed, I tried to recover the files
through the new one, and was able to be partially successful. Since I lost
the encryption cipher file for them, I created a new one, and wanted to
install the recovery certificate.

Every time I click on the Local Security Settings, I get an error message
that reads "MMC cannot open the file secpol.msc. This may be because the file
does not exist, is not an MMC console, or was created by a later version of
MMC. This may also be because you do not have sufficient access rights to the
file."

I have logged in as an administrator itself, and I was not able to find the
secpol.msc file. Please advice.
 
garfield19 said:
Hi, I had earlier encrypted a few files while using my laptop with XP
Professional. Now I have a new Sony VAIO with Windows Visa Home Premium
installed in it. As my earlier latop crashed, I tried to recover the files
through the new one, and was able to be partially successful.
Click to expand...

That is strange, as the Vista Home editions are usually unable to use EFS,
only the Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions can do that. Looks like
MS forgot to deactivate some EFS background components in the Home edition.
Since I lost
the encryption cipher file for them, I created a new one, and wanted to
install the recovery certificate.
Every time I click on the Local Security Settings, I get an error message
that reads "MMC cannot open the file secpol.msc.
Click to expand...

As EFS is not supported by your vista Edition I would try to use the
recovery certificate as a normal certificate and install it into your
personal certificate store,including private key. Then you may be able to
access the rest of your files again.

Robert
 
Hi Robert,

Thank you so much for the reply. Can you please outline the procedure to use
the recovery certificate as a normal certificate and try to retrive the files
through it?

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Regards,
Praveen
 
garfield19 said:
Thank you so much for the reply. Can you please outline the procedure to use
the recovery certificate as a normal certificate and try to retrive the files
through it?
Click to expand...

The recovery certificate is just an usual EFS certificate. If you have
access to the private key of this certificate you can install it like your
personal EFS certificate.

Robert
 
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