hello.



I encrypted lots of my files on my computer, Before it died on me. If I would of known that It was going to die, I would of decrypted asap, but thats not the case. I still have the HD from my old computer(it hasn't been reformatted) I have it installed on my new computer, as a D: drive. Iv tried to move my encrypted folders from my old HD to into my new. but I'm not seeing them pop up, I see the names of the folder when there copied. but when I click on them. nothing. So Iv used a EFS recovery program on my old HD. Iv got the files but when I decrypted them they came out blurred or gray screened. so that didn't work. I came across a EASEUS data recovery wizard. I was able to recover my encrypted files, but I cant take ownership to decrypted them. error mesg :you will need to provide administrator permission to change these attributes:comes up. I've tried to right click, properties owner tab, advance. I put down myself as full owner for everything but still nothing. Is it impossible to decrypt my files? The help is welcome and thanks guys/gals for the help!

Hi,

This may not work but is definitely worth a try. When you said that your old computer died but you still have the hard disk, I assume that the OS on your old hard disk is not corrupt but it was just a hardware fault or something on your old computer.

I do not know if encryption keys are specific to hardware or not, hopfully someone better than me will correct me if I am wrong. If they are not, I would recommend:

• Boot up your new PC using your old OS from your old hard disk.

• Export your excryption key and store it on a memory stick. See this website if you don't know how to do this: Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To] | Windows 7 Security | Windows Tools, Help & Guides

• Boot back into your new OS on your new hard disk and import your exported encrytion key. See above website for details.

• Copy accross your encrypted files from you old HD to your new HD and you should now be able to access them.

N.B. If encryption keys are specific to hardware, then these instructions will not work. I have searched on the internet as to whether they are or not, but have not found an answer.

Sorry if these instructions are useless, but I really hope they work for you.

Richard

Hi Richard,

Thanks for posting. But I did tried doing what you posted, no luck . it seems that I cant run my old HD on my new computer. maybe because its XP pro(old HD) and my computer is running Vista. This problem of mine has been causing me stress. As I mentioned I do have my encrypted files In my new OS. but I dont have access to decryte them. Iv been doing intense research and found out that I might need to inport my EFS certificates(from the old HD). which I would if I knew how to look for them or the name of the folder there in. Is there any programs out there that can find certificates keys. I know the EFS recovery program found them but I couldnt export them. thanks for the help.

Hi,

Why cannot you start your old OS? I assume that you have gone into the Boot Options and selected the D:\ drive, but what stopped Windows starting. If we can get into your old Windows XP, we can easily export your EFS certificates. I do not know of any free programs that can recover the certificates from another hard disk, but I will continue to look. Sorry I was not of more help.

Richard

Yes, I've done the boot settings. The new computer tries to boot. I get in to the loading screen ( where it has Microsoft XP PRO and a lil loading bar at the bottom) then it restarts its self back into the boot screen. Could it be that my HD(old) is using ATA cable. and my new one is using a SATA cable? BUt I have good news, Iv spend way too many hours seaching my old HD and I think I found the certificates, now my problem is.. how to add thoes old ones into my new OS?? any ideas, or is it possiable? thanks you for all the help you've gave me.

Hi,

Where did you find those certificates? Sorry but I don't know where certificates are stored, but if I can investigate, I can probably work out how to import them.

Thanks and a very well done.

Richard

An old "trick" is to copy the contents of drive to a FAT drive partition since FAT does not recognize encryption nor NTFS rules. For what it's worth, as a suggestion.