Hello everyone. I had a Windows Vista Ultimate installation and backed up all the files into an USB HD using the Windows Back up and Restore utility. I then formatted the drive, installed Windows 7 Enterprise, and restored the files from the backup only to find out that some files were encrypted. Long story short I can't open the files nor decrypt them.The username (admin) andcomputer name are the same as the previous installation. Can someone give me a step by step on how to decrypt the files? I know i need the cert and psk from the previous user/installation, but I'm not sure if i can get them back or how to do so.Thanks for your help...

Hai,"Take ownership" of the encrypted files and folders may helpregards from www.windowsadmin.infoManuPhilip

ManuPhilip, Thanks for your reply. I don't think this would be as easy as taking ownership otherwise the encryption would not be very secured and anyone would be able to copy the file to any computer, take ownership of the file, and decrypt it. Unless there is a specific process for "Taking Ownership." Can you please expand on that.

Hai,Try this link which describes 'how to take ownership of files' http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421regards from www.windowsadmin.infoManuPhilip

Hi, I would like to know how the files were encrypted. Did you backup copy of your encryption key and related certificate? To restore these files, the encryption key and certificate are needed. For the detailed information, please refer to the following link: Recover encrypted files or folders Hope it helps. Vivian Xing - MSFT

I would like to know how the files were encrypted. I don't know. The computer is not mine and the owner has no clue how he did it. All I know is after I restored the files some of the files were green and when I go to properties - advanced the encrypted checkbox is checked Did you backup copy of your encryption key and related certificate? Does backing up files (using the windows back up and restore center) and selecting all checkboxes for the "Which file types do you want to back up?" section backup the encryption key and related certificate? If it does then yes, I did. Where would it be located?

Hi, You need to perform steps as below to backup Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-Encrypting-File-System-EFS-certificate If the certificate were not available, files cannot be decrypted.Vivian Xing - MSFT

Hi, You need to perform steps as below to backup Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-Encrypting-File-System-EFS-certificate If the certificate were not available, files cannot be decrypted. Vivian Xing - MSFT Vivian,unfortunately the windows vista installation is now gone. Is there a way for me to ro recover the certificate and private key through the backed up file system?

Hi, EFS certificate need to be created and backup separately. The backup and restore will not backup up it automatically. I am afraid that the files cannot be restored without this EFS certificate.Vivian Xing - MSFT

well then should microsoft come out with an update to make the EFS certificate back up automatically?