Windows XP Encyrption

[Joe Camel(Toe)]

For some reason, I encrypted my files with the standard encryption tool that comes with XP Pro.

Copied the files to an external drive for back up.

Had to format the machine.

Once formatted, I tried to copy the files back from the external drive, but it wont let me open nor copy back to the machine.

I searched and searched to get possible answers with no luck.

Can anyone help me? I will pay for a service if I must.

Thanks!

[Zero1]

Have you tried removing the encryption from the files? Right click on the files and remove the encryption.

[stormy13]

How to remove file or folder encryption in Windows XP

[rcjeff]

I think you're SOL unless you backed up the certificate and key used when you first encrypted the files

[SillySusie]

Sorry this doesn't help, but for the future and other's reference use TrueCrypt instead, it's open source, multi-platform, porwerful and flexible and doesn't assume things like Windows does.

[JAC]

How to remove file or folder encryption in Windows XP

Note Only the user who encrypts a file can recover data that has been encrypted, unless the user specifies a recovery agent before they encrypted the files. To make sure that you can decrypt files in the future, you should always export your certificate and private key and keep them in a safe location.

[Digital_Domain]

I think you're SOL unless you backed up the certificate and key used when you first encrypted the files

This is correct.

Sorry this doesn't help, but for the future and other's reference use TrueCrypt instead, it's open source, multi-platform, porwerful and flexible and doesn't assume things like Windows does.

Actually, this is not a problem with Windows at all. Windows did exactly what it should have done. The OP basically forgot to back the password/key phrase and then lost it. The info is still 'safe' and the encryption has worked perfectly. Ways to recover encrypted data is inversely related to the strength of the encryption. (More secure = less ways to recover.)