Encryption Key?

I

ilsonoro

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Yesterday Win7 asked me to backup the Encryption Key.
The funny thing here is that I´ve never selected to encrypt files.
So the question is: Does windows encrypt files without my authorization or it´s just a reminder just in case I really had some encrypted files?
Thanks!
 

My Computer

OS
Win7 Build 7100
ilsonoro said:
Yesterday Win7 asked me to backup the Encryption Key.
The funny thing here is that I´ve never selected to encrypt files.
So the question is: Does windows encrypt files without my authorization or it´s just a reminder just in case I really had some encrypted files?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
ilsonero
First Welcome to sevenforums.
See if you have bitlocker turned on. Its location is in the pic
 
Last edited:

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To add to Zigzag, I have used Bitlocker once, on a USB drive. Only if you have it turned on will Windows ask for a key.

Make sure you have it turned off because if your system becomes encrypted and you have no key...you are in big trouble lol.
 

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zigzag3143 said:
ilsonero
First Welcome to sevenforums.
See if you have bitlocker turned on. Its location is in the pic
Click to expand...

TNX! Bitlocker is turned off on every drive I have. So I dont have to worry at all, right? Thanks again!
 

My Computer

OS
Win7 Build 7100
ilsonoro said:
TNX! Bitlocker is turned off on every drive I have. So I dont have to worry at all, right? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Should'nt be, but I wonder why it asks if its off.

Ken
 

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Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv-7 1005 Tx
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Win 8 Release candidate 8400
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[email protected]
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Nvidia 9600M
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HD built-in
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17" Wxga
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45Mb down 5Mb up
zigzag3143 said:
See if you have bitlocker turned on. Its location is in the pic
Click to expand...

I'm having the same problem, Win7 Pro asking to backup encryption key.

What does "Its location is in the pic" mean? Where do I find bitlocker to turn it on or off? When I type bitlocker in the Start search box, I get a wizard for encrypting my files.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
Strange... You say you're running Windows 7 Pro, but bitlocker is only available in Ultimate and Enterprise editions... See Brinks tutorial on Bitlocker -=> Here
 

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LENOVO K450 @3.0GHZ
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Without looking at Brink's tutorial yet, yes I am running Win7 Pro. And I keep getting the system tray popup that asks me to back up my encryption key, even though I've never asked Windows to encrypt anything. When I type cipher.exe / u /n at a cmd prompt it does NOT show any encrypted files.

I _was_ running Win7 Ultimate RC, but I purchased the Win7 Pro upgrade and did the following:
1. Used my toshiba system restore disc to reinstall Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit OVER Win7 Ult RC.
2. Ran Win7 Pro upgrade disc to perform a custom install of Win7 Pro 64bit.

Even when I was using Win7 Ult RC I never encrypted anything. I've seen a few other posts in various fora where others are having the same problem, but no one has yet found a solution.
 

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OS
Windows 7
You may want to consider doing a clean install rather than an upgrade... format the drive during the installation process... that should cure your ills...
 

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PC/Desktop
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LENOVO K450 @3.0GHZ
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64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
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Core(TM) i5 CPU 4330 Haswell @ 3.20GHz
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LENOVO
Memory
12.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics
Sound Card
Intel HD integtrated
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 25' ISP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1900/1020
Hard Drives
(1) ST1000DM003-1CH162 (2) Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device (3) Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
Internet Speed
100mb down/10mb up
Tews, you will see in my post above that I did perform a "clean" install. Custom = Clean. It is the only way to "upgrade" from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit 7.
 

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Either way, why is it asking me to backup my key, if I've never used it to encrypt anything? How do I do I turn it off? a search from the CMD prompt returns no encrypted files, but I'm concerned now about not backing it up just in case. At the same time, I'd prefer not to use it at all.
 

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Windows 7
Not sure what is going on but if you just back it up, that should be the end of it. :)
 

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Does the message give any reference code or error number?
 

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    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
No, it's not an error. It is a small box that pops up in from the system tray (I can't remember if it was listed in Action Center, not in front of that computer right now). It says "You should back up your file certificate and encryption key" And then has some options, which are, Back Up Now, Remind me later, Never Back up.

Since I don't recall ever encrypting anything, I'd like to know why I'm getting the message, in case something on my system is now encrypted without meaning too.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
I agree with the fact that you are getting this prompt and it is not a standard that everyone is getting would suggest that somehow you have encrypted something.

It may be worthwhile to save the certificate to a USB stick or similar just in-case, but something else has crossed my mind (I am sometimes a little too security concious :o ), this may be some type of malware prompt that is attempting to obtain security information.

Unlikely, but may be worthwhile doing a deep scan with a couple of Anti malware applications
 

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System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
I got the same message awhile back.. I just backed up it in my docs and its over lol!

using ultimate though.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 32bit RTM
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