Need Windows Security EXPERTS / Backed up old computer then formatted and now encrypted files need security certificate
I have read and read on this and many people post it is impossible. I have 38 GB on the external drive I copied all my files to. Most of which is my family photos over the years, etc. I have to find a way to get this. I have the old computer I formatted. Windows is reinstalled on it. It was a VERY quick install from a Gateway reinstall disk. Is there some way I can retrieve the data from the hard drive and find the security certificate for the files? I know there is a way to do this, it is just a matter of finding the person that can do it. I would assume this to be a fairly common problem and there should be ways to do it. Please any help is appreciated!!
November 3rd, 2011 7:30pm

Unless you have a connection with a secret services agency that I don't know of, there is no blue pill to recover your encrypted data. Unless you have a backup of the system before you reinstalled.Ray - Author of Windows 7 for XP Professionals
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November 4th, 2011 7:22pm

NextXpert, I was able to use a data recovery program and recovered what I think are the certificates from the following directories: Documents and Settings/User/Application Data/Microsoft/Crypto/RSA/ And Documents and Settings/User/Application Data/Microsoft/Protect/ There is 1 folder with 3 keys (I think) in the (Crypto) folder and 2 folders (each with 1 key) in the (Protect) folder. Anything else I need to decrypt the data? I have access to the data on the old hard drive. Thanks!!
November 5th, 2011 3:28pm

Glad to hear you still have a backup of the system before reinstall. You need both the user certificate and the private key that goes with it from the secure store. I have no idea how you can export these from an offline Windows installation, but it should be doable. Then you can use these to decrypt your EFS incrypted files. If you are able to import the certificate key pair in your user account it is the easiest way. The command line tool CIPHER.EXE should als be helpfull to decrypt your files. Ray - Author of Windows 7 for XP Professionals
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 6th, 2011 9:05am

Glad to hear you still have a backup of the system before reinstall. You need both the user certificate and the private key that goes with it from the secure store. I have no idea how you can export these from an offline Windows installation, but it should be doable. Then you can use these to decrypt your EFS incrypted files. If you are able to import the certificate key pair in your user account it is the easiest way. The command line tool CIPHER.EXE should als be helpfull to decrypt your files. Ray - Author of Windows 7 for XP Professionals
November 6th, 2011 5:01pm

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