Recovering Encrypted Files/Directories

Hey all Heres the scenario; I did a format/reinstall of Windows XP Pro on my c: drive. However, I didn't do a files/settings backup. I have an encrypted directory/files on my second hdd, that I can't seem to recover the files from.

Windows Software 5498 This topic was started by ,


data/avatar/default/avatar08.webp

17 Posts
Location -
Joined 2002-01-07
Hey all --
Heres the scenario; I did a format/reinstall of Windows XP Pro on my c: drive. However, I didn't do a files/settings backup. I have an encrypted directory/files on my second hdd, that I can't seem to recover the files from. How in the world can I work around this without the proper certificates?
 
Cheers

Participate on our website and join the conversation

You have already an account on our website? Use the link below to login.
Login
Create a new user account. Registration is free and takes only a few seconds.
Register
This topic is archived. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.

Responses to this topic


data/avatar/default/avatar19.webp

91 Posts
Location -
Joined 2001-04-19
Time to format the other drive:
 
From Help and Support
"The designated recovery agent should export the data recovery certificate and private key to disk, secure them in a safe place, and delete the data recovery private key from the system. In this way, the only person who can recover data for the system is the person who has physical access to the data recovery private key."

data/avatar/default/avatar36.webp

1207 Posts
Location -
Joined 2000-03-27
Bad luck
I really do hope there was nothing really, really important in that encrypted folder.
It's the whole idea of the 128bit Encryption, should the HD fall into the wrong hands that person wouldn't be able to get at your secure data.
Without a backup of the Private Keys on floppy disk that data is lost.

data/avatar/default/avatar03.webp

379 Posts
Location -
Joined 2000-09-09
The *.psx files exported to diskettes for backup can be imported with Internet Properties, Content, Certificates, Import.
 
Read Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q255742: "Methods for Recovering Encrypted Data Files". You need access to a Recovery Agent's account with a valid recovery key:
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q255742
 
The Windows XP CD-ROM in \Support\Tools\Support.cab file contains a command-line utility named Efsinfo.exe to show who encrypted each file and who has permission to decrypt it, including any recovery agents. Read Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q243026.
 
Freeware EFSDump.exe ver 1.02 can dump that information:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/misc.shtml
 
With this information in hand, use the Runas command to launch Cipher.exe /k at a command prompt to create certificates for your previous User and Password but it would probably not recover your previous encryptions.

data/avatar/default/avatar08.webp

17 Posts
Location -
Joined 2002-01-07
OP
hrm...
okie dokie.
 
Makes sense, I suppose.
Thx for the help... *grumble*
 
MS seems to have done something right -- much to my chagrin, and embarassment.

data/avatar/default/avatar35.webp

0 Posts
Location -
Joined 2005-10-25
I suggest you use DataRecoveryWizard to resolve your problem.
The software provides very useful functions for data recovery:
DeleteRecovery, FormatRecovery, AdvancedRecovery, RawRecovery.
 
This program is an efficient disk recovery software providing
you a complete answer to data loss.
 
First thing I recommend you download the demo version of
DataRecoveryWizard. ( http://www.[censored].com/download.htm)
 
Run the program and select the recovery mode "DeletedRecovery",
or "FormatRecovery", or "AdvancedRecovery".
 
See more: http://www.[censored].com
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-deleted-files.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-lost-partition.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-formatted-partition.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-fdisked-drives.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-lost-files.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-repartitioned-drives.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-scandisk-chkdsk-disk.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-ghosted-image-data.htm
http://www.[censored].com/datarecoverywizard/recover-encrypted-data.htm