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did this person create the file?
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When a user tries to access an encrypted Excel file he gets the error message &quot;Excel cannot access [filename]. The document may be read-only or encrypted.&quot;<br />
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This is happening on a Windows 10 64-bit OS.<br />
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When we try to remove the encryption attribute from the file we get an &quot;Error applying attributes message. An error occurred applying attributes to the file. The specified file could not be decrypted.&quot;<br />
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What can be done to fix this issue so we can either open the file or so that we can remove the encryption from the file?<br />
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<a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2017/08_w31/1185217/Cant-access-encrypted-file.PNG" target="_blank" title="CANT-ACCESS-ENCRYPTED-FILE (5 KB)"><img alt="CANT-ACCESS-ENCRYPTED-FILE" class="file-block lazyload" style="max-width: 510px;" data-src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2017/08_w31/1185217/Cant-access-encrypted-file.PNG" /></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2017/08_w31/1185218/Error-decrypting-file.PNG" target="_blank" title="ERROR-DECRYPTING-FILE (7 KB)"><img alt="ERROR-DECRYPTING-FILE" class="file-block lazyload" style="max-width: 375px;" data-src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2017/08_w31/1185218/Error-decrypting-file.PNG" /></a>
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Error-decrypting-file.PNG

Cant-access-encrypted-file.PNG

When a user tries to access an encrypted Excel file he gets the error message "Excel cannot access [filename]. The document may be read-only or encrypted."

This is happening on a Windows 10 64-bit OS.

When we try to remove the encryption attribute from the file we get an "Error applying attributes message. An error occurred applying attributes to the file. The specified file could not be decrypted."

What can be done to fix this issue so we can either open the file or so that we can remove the encryption from the file?




Unable to access encrypted Excel file

Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In an encryption scheme, the intended communication information or message, referred to as plaintext, is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, generating ciphertext that can only be read if decrypted. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients, but not to unauthorized interceptors.

Encryption

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system featuring the "universal application architecture" (UAP); apps can be designed to run across multiple devices with nearly identical code, including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens. Windows 10 also includes a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, voice-based search (Cortana), new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.

Windows 10

This topic area includes legacy versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000: Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions including Windows Mobile.

Windows OS

Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability. OS security refers to specified steps or measures used to protect the OS from threats, viruses, worms, malware or remote hacker intrusions. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised, including authentication, passwords and threats to systems and programs.