Windows 7 access to Windows Vista Encrypted Files - How

[ozofmanson]

I had Windows Vista Ultimate installed on my PC. I got Windows 7 Ultimate and decided I needed an upgrade. I formatted my primary partition and got rid of Vista completely. I then installed Windows 7. It is beautiful.

My problem is simple: I had a partition with files on it that were encrypted using the EFS on Vista. How do I now decrypt and access them?

HELP ! ! !

 

[Kari]

Hello ozofmanson, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Vista and Win 7 use the same EFS system, so it should work when you right click the encrypted file or folder, click General > Advanced and clear the checkbox in Encrypt contents to secure data.

Kari

 

[logicearth]

You will not be able to decrypt your files, not unless you made a backup key even then its a long shot.

 

[Kari]

Yes, of course you need the key to encrypt the files but I do not believe you have not backed up your key(s).

EFS encrypted files and folders can be opened without a key if using the same computer and user account used to encrypt them. Using the key, they can be opened also in other computers and / or by other users.

Kari

 

[jimbo45]

Sorry but unless you can re-create the original system it's BYE BYE. (As others have said)

I've re-iterated "Ad Nauseam" you should ALWAYS keep backup - especially of User Data - before doing anything major on a computer -- especially like replacing the OS.

Hopefully while not being the answer to your question you will have learned from this experience.

Imagine another time having say over 1 TB of irreplaceable Music files - and your disk gets broken / formatted erased etc etc.

Another scenario -- Pro Photographer doing a Wedding Shoot -- digital files get corrupted without a backup being available -- I'd hate to be the one to tell his Client / Customer.

Not nice.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Flavius]

I had Windows Vista Ultimate installed on my PC. I got Windows 7 Ultimate and decided I needed an upgrade. I formatted my primary partition and got rid of Vista completely. I then installed Windows 7. It is beautiful.

My problem is simple: I had a partition with files on it that were encrypted using the EFS on Vista. How do I now decrypt and access them?

HELP ! ! !

Before formatting system you should backup Certificate Key Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate Backup - Vista Forums

and then import it to new system

Encrypted File System (EFS) Certificate Restore - Vista Forums

Because you haven't it the only solution is this soft:Forgot your password? Download password recovery, forensics, system and security software. Find crack best lost passwords recovery tools and password crackers. Advanced EFS Data Recovery

This tool also can decrypt EFS files:http://www.accessdata.com/forensictoolkit.html

 

[ozofmanson]

From all of my research and the feedback I have recieved from other forums as well, I have begun attempting to restore/decrypt the files using a program called Advanced EFS Data Recovery Professional. I have been running SYSKEYS and adding user passwords that I think may remotely be what I used for encryption. Any tips, advice, or specific tutorials out there for how to do this in the program? I keep looking for a good tutorial but can't seam to find one.

 

[olsonc]

Same problem

I have the exact same problem. Please let me know if you are successful. I am following your lead and have downloaded EFS myself.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[airbiscuit]

Am on the same boat with you guys. IDK how to use EFS apps

Any kind members want to do some tutorial to use it?

 

[CSerpent]

Misleading Messages

I find it unbelieveable that I can not access my own files after upgrading from Vista to Windows 7, even knowing the password that I used to encrypt the files.

But what really takes the cake is that MS hasn't even bothered to provide a proper error message on what is happening.

"You will need to provide administrator permission to change these attributes."
Um, I AM ADMINISTRATOR!!! @#$@%!~

 

[logicearth]

I find it unbelieveable that I can not access my own files after upgrading from Vista to Windows 7, even knowing the password that I used to encrypt the files.

Then the encryption would be pointless. The whole point of encryption is to prevent private data being access on any system but the original.

It is easy to see why now Microsoft leaves Encrypting File System and BitLocker out of the home version. Users would carelessly use it without thinking of the consequences.

 

[CSerpent]

Misleading Messages

No, that is certainly NOT the point of encryption. The point of encryption is to prevent unauthorized access to data. Thus, the password.

Never did I tell windows, "Only allow me to access these files on THIS machine under this version of the OS." Nor was I ever informed by windows that I would only be able to access the files in said manner. Nor was I informed by Windows 7 at the time of upgrade that my old OS included such files, and that I would not be able to access them after the upgrade.

But it's not really that big a deal. It's only my data.

 

[ColinD44]

Opening Windows Vista encrypted files on W7 Ultimate

Hello ozofmanson, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Vista and Win 7 use the same EFS system, so it should work when you right click the encrypted file or folder, click General > Advanced and clear the checkbox in Encrypt contents to secure data.

Kari

Hello Kari,
I have the same problem as ozofmanson and have tried your advice, but when I get to Advanced, the checkbox for Encrypt contents to secure data is not checked, so I can't clear it, so what do I do next? What program should I insert to open the folder? I have tried Uniblue Registry Booster but with no effect.
Very grateful for any further advice.
ColinD44

 

[ColinD44]

Opening Windows Vista encrypted files on W7 Ultimate

Sorry but unless you can re-create the original system it's BYE BYE. (As others have said)

I've re-iterated "Ad Nauseam" you should ALWAYS keep backup - especially of User Data - before doing anything major on a computer -- especially like replacing the OS.

Hopefully while not being the answer to your question you will have learned from this experience.

Imagine another time having say over 1 TB of irreplaceable Music files - and your disk gets broken / formatted erased etc etc.

Another scenario -- Pro Photographer doing a Wedding Shoot -- digital files get corrupted without a backup being available -- I'd hate to be the one to tell his Client / Customer.

Not nice.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo,
Can I take this issue one stage further? I have backed up my Vista OS and files on Norton 360. Can you please tell me how I can recover the encryption key from the backup without re-loading the Vista OS?
I'd be very grateful,
ColinD44