Encrypted File

[jshurst]

I have a file where I keep important information. I encrypted this using the option in xp pro. I recently joined this computer to a domain and now I can't get in the file. It keeps saying "Access denied." I created the file with the same account I am using now. Can someone tell me what I could do about this?

Thanks,

J

 

[linney]

Can you log on "locally" to the machine using the same username which created the encrypted file. This is different from logging onto the Domain. Have a look at the drop down list where you logon, you should have options to logon locally to your machine.

 

[jshurst]

Yes. I am logged on locally with the same account that created the file, but I still get an access denied error. Very strange.

 

[jshurst]

I think I am going to try Knoppix (a linux distro) to see if I can get in the file. It is just a notepad file, but I need to info from it. I will let you know if this works or not. This was my first attempt at setting up a domain and I want to do it again, I just need to get this file off before I reformat the computer and start over.

 

[jshurst]

Well, that didn't work either. I can access the folder where the file is located (C:\Documents and Settings\User\...) so I know that I have access to it.

I must have reset the password for this account. Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do here?

 

[londonjack]

Sorry to tell you this, but I got this from the Microsoft XP MCP book:

"If an administrator removes the password on a user account, the user account will lose all EFS-encrypted files, personal certificates, and stored passwords for Web sites or network resources. Each user should make a password reset disk to avoid this situation. To create a password floppy disk, open User Accounts and, under Related Tasks, click Prevent A Forgotten Password. The Forgotten Password Wizard steps you through creating the password reset disk."

Did you make a password reset disk?

 

[jshurst]

No I didn't. That would've been too easy. I thought I might have made a system restore point, but I didn't do that either. Looks like I'm just going to have to forget about it. I kept all of my passwords in that file. I think I remember most of them and can probably get the rest.

I guess I have learned a pretty good lesson today. Oh well, live and learn!

 

[linney]

encrypted file system recovery

http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/

How to De-crypt Encrypted files on a Stand Alone machine
thread779-390584