How to decrypt encrypted Windows files
Posted on April 18, 2009 at 5:20 am
I’ve previously written several articles on how to encrypt data on your PC for security reasons, but I’ve really never written about decrypting that data. The reason I have not written any article is because even when you encrypt files on your computer, they are normally transparently decrypted for you when you view them on the same PC.
So when do you really need to decrypt files in Windows? Really only when you move the files to another computer or reformat your current computer and then copy the encrypted data back onto the new computer.
In either case, one thing you have to remember about encrypting and decrypting files in Windows is that you always need your encryption certificates/keys. When you turn on Encrypting File System in Windows, encryption keys are automatically created and associated with your user account.
If you reformat a computer or move the files to another computer, you first have to export the encryption keys in order to regain access to the encrypted data.
If you do not have these encryption keys, you will not be able to decrypt the data. Sadly, there is no way around it, the encryption is very strong and cannot be broken.
If you can still open the files on a computer, you want to make sure to you create a backup of the encryption keys in case the operating system ever fails and you have to copy the data to an external drive.
You can do this by following these steps:
1. Click on Start, then Run and type in mmc.exe.
2. Click on File and then Add/Remove Snap-in
3. Click on the Add button and choose Certificates from the list
4. Choose My user account and then click Finish, then Close and then OK to get back to the Console Root. Now in the tree view, expand Certificates – Current User, then Personal, then Certificates.
I do not have EFS enabled and that’s why I don’t have a Certificates folder under Personal.
5. Now on the right-hand side, you will see certificates listed with an Intended Purpose of Encrypting File System.
6. Now right-click on the certificate and choose All Tasks and then Export. Make sure to choose “Yes, export the private key” and then click Next.
7. Now type in a password and choose a file name for the export. You will get a warning message at the end, but simply allow access.
To import this same certificate on another computer so that you can view encrypted files, follow all the steps up to 4, then right-click in the right-hand panel and choose All Tasks – Import. Select the exported certificate and follow the wizard.
You will now be able to decrypt the encrypted files on the PC. Again, it is essential that you backup your keys before you reformat your computer or before something bad happens to it! If you are encrypting files and don’t have your encryption keys backed, you are asking to lose that data! Enjoy!
» Filed Under Computer Tips
Related Posts
- How to add encrypt/decrypt shortcuts to the right click menu
- How to encrypt your USB flash drive
- Encrypt and Password Protect Text Files for Free
- How to send secure encrypted email for free
- How to encrypt your computer’s hard disk data and files for free
Great post. Now… is it possible to use those encription keys on other OSs? For example, if I have encryption enabled on my windows PC, and I want to switch to linux, those keys work? If so, how can I do it?
Also, does encryption work in dual-boot systems? Will I be able to access encrypted files using both OSs?
Thanks!
just a GREAT topic, very good job
Awesome post. Very well explained.
Thank-you
I can’t decrypt my files…should I restart my PC??
Very helpful, thank you.
Hopefully you can answer a follow-up question. I use a batch file and scheduler to back up my data files to a portable WD Passport USB hard-drive. I just checked and it is a FAT drive. I presume that when I export the certificate per your instructions, a drive window or dialog box will prompt me for a backup location. Is it ok if I export the certificate to the FAT USB hard-drive?
And what happens to my encrypted files that are copied to this FAT drive, do they lose their encryption?
Thanks
Hi, I read ur post. But the problem i am having is I had installed Windows XP Professional on my PC and had some files were encrypted but after some time, the OS crashed and now I have installed Windows 7. however i was able to recover my data from the crashed OS, even the encrypted files. But now I am unable to access the encrypted files neither I can copy them nor play them. They are all audio files.. please help!!!!!
Highly informative .Thanks
I had some encrypted files, moved them over the network to another PC, and it does not read the files. I returned the files to the computer of origin and they cannot be read anymore. I had to do ghost to the d: \. I tried to import the certificate to another PC and it does not read either. What to do?
I had my files (excel and word) encrypted, for some reason i didnt know how they were done. Then my computer encountered a virus, so I have it reformat. I was able to back up those files, but then the problem is I cannot till now open excel and word files due to the encryption. I did the first step you post, RUN mmc.exe and the folder is blank. PLEASE HELP ME, its my Six years work file, I dont want to lose my job. HELP PLEASE…
The PERSONAL folder under current user doesn’t have any files in it.
help
plz give me suggestion to decrypt Windows files. I encrypted some files on my system and I formated the computer without decrypting them first. PLEASE HELP ME
plz give me suggestion to decrypt Windows files. I encrypted some files on my system and I formated the computer without decrypting them first. PLEASE HELP ME
I have to reformat a computer and saw there were a lot of encrypted files stored on it. After reading the long process involved and the pitfalls, I think I will just decrypt them and then re-encrypt them once I reinstall the OS. Thanks!
Hi, it’s been a very long time since I encrypted my photos and videos on my PC. I forgot about it and then installed Windows 7 over my Windows XP partition. But now I cannot get rid of the encryption on the data because there is no certificate! Please tell me what I can do to get my encrypted files back?
Dear All,
With the problem you have, there is only one solution: delete the data and move on. I have been searching for a solution for the past 1 year. If any 1 finds a solution, kindly let me know!
I had some files encrypted, but i didnt know how they were done. Then my computer encountered a virus, so I had to reformat. I was able to back up those files, but then the problem is I cannot open any encrypted file not even able to decrypt and not even in cipher command also, please help me! how to get these file decrypted? Thanks
hi.. i have an “encryted-file decryptor” here… i bought it for $199… it works though.. It decrypted my files like in your case and got it just like before(I installed new OS and backed it up, forgetting it was encrypted(green-colored).. it doesn’t require any passwords or certificates, and easy to use. I can give it to you for 50 bucks – full version.
I’m not sure if I would go to this thread again waiting for answer /s. I prefer you to send me an email at bsgod47@gmail.com if you are interested, but I’ll try to visit here sometimes.^^
goodluck! ^_^
I have a question concerning encrypted files. Here’s the story…
I own a laptop, about 5 years old. I saved some files on it, and encrypted them. At the time, I didn’t know anything about encrypting files, I figured it was just one more way to protect my information. Anyway, the motherboard on that laptop burned out.
I bought an IDE External Enclosure, yanked out the old hard drive, plugged it into that, and that into a new desktop as an external hard drive.
However, since I didn’t know what I was doing before, I never copied the certificates/key’s for the encryption of those files. Is there anyway I can gain access to them from another computer without the certificates/keys? Is it possible to maybe find a used motherboard of the same make and model as my old laptop and use that to access the hard drive from the laptop? What kind of options do I have for this scenario? I appreciate any help you can give me.
There are many queries here pertaining to users being unaware of decrypting the files before moving them to another system. I am also one of them. None of these query seems to have been answered yet. Is it that there is no hope?
Hello,
I have a question regarding encryption…I have a bunch of licensed music files (paid for) that are encrypted on my PC, not sure what software was used for encryption but my pc recently fried from a lightning strike. The files only run with a jukebox program that this company developed and installed on my windowsXP. I cannot contact them as they are no longer in business. Luckily I backed up my hardrives using image software.
My question is, if I had an identical PC e.g brand & specs, could I copy the images to some new hardrives, and run the replica PC exactly the same as it was before the failure, and run the software,XP etc. and the files that were encrypted with previous PC? Anyhelp would be great. THANKYOU!!!
Hi, I read ur post. But the problem i am having is I had installed Jaapanese version Windows XP Professional on my PC and had some files were encrypted but i dont knew about it. After some time, I formatted my pC installed English version XP .However i was able to recover my data from the format, even the encrypted files. But now I am unable to access the encrypted files neither I can copy them nor play them. They are all different types of files.. please help!!!!!
Olá, havia criptografado meus arquivos pessoais, porém meu pc pegou um vírus e mandei arrumá-lo, o técnico achou melhor formatar o pc, quando retornou com os arquivos pra HD não consegui mais abrí-los.
Consigo ver fotos em miniaturas e tudo mais, porém, isso significa que perdi totalmente os arquivos? não existe maneira de reverter a situação?
Ok i found 2 folders on another part of my drive as it’s divided into 2 sections. This i did myself with windows on one part and pics stored on the other partion for safety the folders were decrpted which i didn’t do. Inside are my sons wedding pics. I decrypted the folder but contents inside would not decrypt even thought i applied it to do so. Then i followed above instructions on one of the pics now it’s loccked with a key and don’t know how to open it. Can you help please
Thank you this was very helpful!