Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Christopher Schene
Christopher ScheneFlag for United States of America

asked on

Encrypting Windows 7 directories: general questions

I notice that when I encrypt a windows directory it does not ask me for key.

1) So, where to I find the key?
2) I assume I need to store the key on the cloud or some other place to use it for recovery
3) If I copy an encrypted directory or file to another location does it maintain the encryption or is the copy encrypted?
4) How do I restore an encrypted file or directory  in the event I need to restore?

Thanks,

Chris
SOLUTION
Avatar of Dr. Klahn
Dr. Klahn

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Christopher Schene

ASKER

" If you keep EFS encrypted files on your system, you can be assured that it will eventually stab you in the back at the most inconvenient time possible. '

Would you please elaborate? Is it likely I will have unrecoverable files?

I was thinking of storing the key on Dropbox and a removable media in both cases in password encrypted zip files AND in my sent email folder as well (so it will also be on the cloud).
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
"A change in the operating system (upgrade/reinstall) will create new keys and make these files inaccessible."

Ouch!  I have had to reinstall the OS twice since I have had this laptop: So I would not have been able to decode my data?

If that is the case, I'll need an alternative the MS approach.

This is an interesting link: http://lifehacker.com/five-best-file-encryption-tools-5677725

I hear 7-zip is a decent encryption tool.
EFS bit me once and once bit twice shy