Inside Encrypting File System, Part 1

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Mark Russinovich

Windows IT Pro

InstantDoc ID #5387

Learn about Win2K's built-in encryption facility

Securing a computer system entails employing measures that protect the computer's data from viewing or manipulation by unauthorized users. Security measures at the network interface prevent intruders from gaining entry to the computer, and file-system security prevents the computer's authorized users from accessing data they're not supposed to access. However, a computer that is isolated from the Internet behind a firewall...

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This encryption problem has got to my last nerve, somebody save me before i die. has anybody found the solution, mail to seven49110@yahoo.co.uk...else i'm considering moving to other OSs.

Anonymous User 8/24/2005 10:40:57 AM

R

Anonymous User 6/17/2005 10:57:05 AM

Hi there
I think tahat most of the posts below are coused not only by XP weaknees, but also by not enough experienced users.
learn more, than use encryption. Thats the right way
;)

Anonymous User 6/15/2005 6:15:34 AM

Try this it worked for me!

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Anonymous User 2/22/2005 6:14:25 PM

That's a second install of XP Pro over the top or if you can, a repair install - just make sure that your profile in Documents And Settings is kept safe. Tim

Anonymous User 11/28/2004 7:18:41 AM

http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php is a good place to start. I too nearly lost data - even though I kept backups I didn't have any encryption backup! (well, not for EFS anyway). BACKUP EFS CONFIG IF YOU USE IT! You are in a good position if your windows profile is intact - it has your private keys and certificates. If not then then you may be in trouble. What worked for me was: Install of XP Pro. Created user with same name, same password and same ID (i.e. 1003) to match original. Logged them in and encrypted a file (any) to establish efs config. Copied (don't move) original files, as per that url above, and tidied up so that everything (keys, certificates) matched up (remove newly created files). Ensured that EFS certificate thumbnail matched those on files - check with efsinfo.exe. It all seemed to work but the files looked corrupt. Realised that XP had to be at least SP1 in order to process with a particular encryption format. My system is okay now. Would be more detailed but I have n't decrypted all my files yet - something I'm keen to do! This is not a fix for novices I'm afraid. Tim

Anonymous User 11/28/2004 2:18:05 AM

Yet i'm a another user with encrption problems. files a re lost for ever. Microsoft will have to do somthing about this. Too easy to encrypte into a solid system.

Anonymous User 11/24/2004 4:51:15 AM

http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php
Try to see if there is any information useful.

Anonymous User 11/17/2004 6:01:54 PM

I've got the same problem - reinstalled WinXP but forgot to decrypt files on a seperate drive first.
Has anyone been able to recover their files yet?

_4get_11/13/2004 2:23:53 PM

Hi, i had problems accessing my encrypted files(*.txt & *.jpg)in XP Pro after i had reformat it. Is there any way where i can recover it? I had no key nor certificates. Thanks. Hope to hear from you asap.

Sow

tevinsow10/18/2004 8:02:17 AM