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PaulLauritz

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Encrypted File attribute

Hi,

We have a set of files deep in a users folder structure where the "encrypt contents to secure data" is set.
These files cannot be opened copied or handled in any way.
The user wouldn't know what encryption was an believes he did not set the attribute.

Accessing the file as the user or the system administrator does not allow access.

Interstingly the 2000 server system (on which these files reside) was recently rebuit/reloaded and these files restored from backup.  Does this mean any related encryption keys etc are gone with the old build.

Any suggestions as to how we can free up these files?

Thanks
Paul
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Robin Hickmott

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Robin Hickmott

Every Windows User Account that get screated has a unique ID and this forms part of the Key. Creating another account with the same name wont work. If you have lost the account you encrypted the files with and you did not back up yuor key then there may be nothing you can do do decrypt them.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/cryptfs.mspx has more information on EFS.