prettyboyfloyd
asked on
Unencrypting files from a different user account
Here are some details to help understand what is happening:
Dual partition, with Windows XP Pro and NTFS on both partitions
c:\windows - Origional XP installation directory (corrupt)
c:\winnt - New XP installation directory (working)
myname - User account that created the encrypted files
myname_new - User account currently trying to access the encrypted files
Both have administrative privledges
--------------------------
Here is my problem...
I had to reinstall my XP operating system because I had a problem starting XP (c:\windows). In a panic, I reinstalled XP to a new directory (c:\winnt) without reformating the harddrive and created a new user account with administrative privledges (myname_new) leaving the origional XP installation (c:\windows) and user accounts intact.
What I wanted to do is reinstall XP in a new directory (c:\winnt) so I could access some misc files and to make a backup of the files I had from the origional XP installation (c:\windows).
I backed up most of my files that I created from the origional XP (Program files, Shared documents, etc), but I had some files which I encrypted using my old account (myname) that were encrypted using the WindowsXP encryption, but as you my know, only the user who encrypted the filed can unencrypt them.
Also, I cannot access my "c:\documents and settings\MYNAME." I get an access denied message.
Before you ask, I have no way to login to my old username (myname) from the corrupt installation (c:\windows) as I have tried everything.
Here is the message I get when trying to unencrypt the files that were encrypted with the "myname" account from the old installation (c:\windows) while I'm in the new installation using the "myname_new" account:
An error has occured applying attributes to the file:
C:\PathToMyFile
Access is denied
Is there a way to unencrypt the files from the origional XP or maybe is there a way to restore my origional XP so I can login and unencrypt the files?
Dual partition, with Windows XP Pro and NTFS on both partitions
c:\windows - Origional XP installation directory (corrupt)
c:\winnt - New XP installation directory (working)
myname - User account that created the encrypted files
myname_new - User account currently trying to access the encrypted files
Both have administrative privledges
--------------------------
Here is my problem...
I had to reinstall my XP operating system because I had a problem starting XP (c:\windows). In a panic, I reinstalled XP to a new directory (c:\winnt) without reformating the harddrive and created a new user account with administrative privledges (myname_new) leaving the origional XP installation (c:\windows) and user accounts intact.
What I wanted to do is reinstall XP in a new directory (c:\winnt) so I could access some misc files and to make a backup of the files I had from the origional XP installation (c:\windows).
I backed up most of my files that I created from the origional XP (Program files, Shared documents, etc), but I had some files which I encrypted using my old account (myname) that were encrypted using the WindowsXP encryption, but as you my know, only the user who encrypted the filed can unencrypt them.
Also, I cannot access my "c:\documents and settings\MYNAME." I get an access denied message.
Before you ask, I have no way to login to my old username (myname) from the corrupt installation (c:\windows) as I have tried everything.
Here is the message I get when trying to unencrypt the files that were encrypted with the "myname" account from the old installation (c:\windows) while I'm in the new installation using the "myname_new" account:
An error has occured applying attributes to the file:
C:\PathToMyFile
Access is denied
Is there a way to unencrypt the files from the origional XP or maybe is there a way to restore my origional XP so I can login and unencrypt the files?
you might be able to find cracking utilities that could possibly decrypt your files.
Advanced EFS Data Recovery
http://www.crackpassword.com/products/prs/otherms/efs/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=windows+xp+encryption+crack+ntfs&btnG=Google+Search
Advanced EFS Data Recovery
http://www.crackpassword.com/products/prs/otherms/efs/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=windows+xp+encryption+crack+ntfs&btnG=Google+Search
This thing work:
http://www.lostpassword.com/efs.htm
You'll need password or SAM file from "old" installation.
http://www.lostpassword.com/efs.htm
You'll need password or SAM file from "old" installation.
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If your old user profile still exists there is a way to get your encyption certificate back, then import it. Look in C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCerti
Then right click on the file, and if the hex edit worked correctly, it should bring up a certificate window that has a button to install the certificate. There's no guarantees this will work, but it's worth a shot.
Then right click on the file, and if the hex edit worked correctly, it should bring up a certificate window that has a button to install the certificate. There's no guarantees this will work, but it's worth a shot.
Actually ignore the hex edit part. Instead do a Start|Run certmgr.msc
Click on Personal, then Certificates.
Right click on certificates, and select import.
Then browse to the file mentioned before in Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCerti
You'll have to change the drop down list to All Files to see it.
Hit next, leave it at the default Certificate store of personal.
Hit next and finish.
With any luck your old encryption certificate will then be imported and you can open the encrypted file.
Click on Personal, then Certificates.
Right click on certificates, and select import.
Then browse to the file mentioned before in Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCerti
You'll have to change the drop down list to All Files to see it.
Hit next, leave it at the default Certificate store of personal.
Hit next and finish.
With any luck your old encryption certificate will then be imported and you can open the encrypted file.
Sorry :(