Bitlocker Encrypted folder - Cannot access files inside anymore

DextrousDave · 31 Aug 2012

Hi All

I formatted my PC to another installation of Windows 7 Ultimate(also the one I had before the format).

Now before I formatted windows on drive C:, I encrypted a folder with Bitlocker. Now this folder was on another harddrive D: on my PC. After the format on C: drive, I cannot access any files in the encrypted folder anymore. The folder is color green(so are all the files inside) and when clicking on any file inside, it tells me "you don't have access to open this file".

Any suggestions?

Thank you

beret21 · 31 Aug 2012

again install bitlocker and try to unlock using it

logicearth · 31 Aug 2012

Are you sure you used Bitlocker? Did you go to the folder properties > Advance > checked "Encrypt contents to secure data" ?

Encrypt or Decrypt a Folder or File - Vista Forums

DextrousDave · 04 Oct 2012

@logicearth - YEs my friend you are right. Bitlocker is for encrypting drives. I used the files and folders Encrypt attribute: "Properties>General>Encrypt contents to secure data"

The folder and all its contents are green of colour. Now this is on the D-drive. I formatted my windows C drive and now I cannot access them at all...

I try setting permissions but they are set for administrators and I'm an administrator. How do I decrypt them?

Thank you

Brink · 04 Oct 2012

Hello Dave,

I'm afraid that unless you had backed up your EFS certificate to be able to restore it to the new installation afterwards to be able to access any encrypted files/folders that used that EFS certificate, then you may just be out of luck. That's the whole point of EFS, no certificate, no access.

If you lost the EFS certificate backup, or did not create one, then you might give the 30 day free trial program Advanced EFS Data Recovery to try and decrypt the files/folders with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn