Windows File Encryption

16 Mar 2009 7:34 PM

ArmyRanger510

Hello,

I have many important files on a external USB hard drive that I cannot
currently access. I turned file encryption on at the start of my travels to
ensure sensitive files that I did not need access to would be protected. I
selected the files, right-clicked and went to the Advanced Button on the
"General" tab, and then selected the checkbox for "Encrypt contents to secure
data." I ejected the drive, and then used it on another computer. The
filenames were now green.

After my travels concluded, I returned to the computer I used to turn
encryption on and tried to remove it, but, I have not been able to. When I
uncheck the box under by navigating to the "Encrypt contents..." box, I am
given an error message:

"An error occurred applying attributes to the file:

F:\folder_name\file_name.bmp (example).

There were no configuration changes made to the computer while I was
travelling, so I am truly at a loss for words as to how this happened and as
to how I can fix it.

I would greatly appreciate any assistance that anyone would be able to
provide.

Thank you in advance.

16 Mar 2009 9:12 PM

Joe Kaplan

You might want to try either the ms.public.security.crypto or
ms.public.platformsdk.security newsgroup for a question on encrypting file
system (EFS). This is a programming newsgroup for .NET developers. Good
luck with your key recovery! I hope you find a way to do it.

--
Joe Kaplan-MS MVP Directory Services Programming
Co-author of "The .NET Developer's Guide to Directory Services Programming"
http://www.directoryprogramming.net

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"ArmyRanger510" <ArmyRanger***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C356B8EB-F1DB-4450-AB2D-2831542CE054@microsoft.com...
> Hello,
>
> I have many important files on a external USB hard drive that I cannot
> currently access. I turned file encryption on at the start of my travels
> to
> ensure sensitive files that I did not need access to would be protected.
> I
> selected the files, right-clicked and went to the Advanced Button on the
> "General" tab, and then selected the checkbox for "Encrypt contents to
> secure
> data." I ejected the drive, and then used it on another computer. The
> filenames were now green.
>
> After my travels concluded, I returned to the computer I used to turn
> encryption on and tried to remove it, but, I have not been able to. When
> I
> uncheck the box under by navigating to the "Encrypt contents..." box, I am
> given an error message:
>
> "An error occurred applying attributes to the file:
>
> F:\folder_name\file_name.bmp (example).
>
> There were no configuration changes made to the computer while I was
> travelling, so I am truly at a loss for words as to how this happened and
> as
> to how I can fix it.
>
> I would greatly appreciate any assistance that anyone would be able to
> provide.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
>