Unable to un-encrypt a folder using Windows encryption - access de

[Tyler T]

I used Windows encryption to encrypt a folder 2 years ago. Now I am unable
to decrypt (un-encrypt) the folder. It says "Access Denied". I clicked on
Properties-Advanced and unchecked the box "Encrypt contents to secure data".

I use Verisign PKI certs that are renewed annually. I see that the old ones
are still available in IE.

Any ideas of how to un-encrypt the folder and files. I need to move these to
a new HDD.

 

[Dan]

I am sure you are logged in as an admin. user. In addition, have you used
the free Windows Live One Care Scan or 90 day trial version to scan for
baddies on your machine that may be preventing access for you. Finally, you
may want to consider contacting Verisign as well and let them know of your
problems they may be able to offer you some free support or at least direct
you in the right direction. Verisign was helpful to me in the past when I
have worked with them on safeguarding and securing my computers through the
use of certificates recently.

"Tyler T" wrote:

> I used Windows encryption to encrypt a folder 2 years ago. Now I am unable
> to decrypt (un-encrypt) the folder. It says "Access Denied". I clicked on
> Properties-Advanced and unchecked the box "Encrypt contents to secure data".
>
> I use Verisign PKI certs that are renewed annually. I see that the old ones
> are still available in IE.
>
> Any ideas of how to un-encrypt the folder and files. I need to move these to
> a new HDD.
>

 

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

Your use of Verisign PKI certs has nothing to do with your access to
Windows encrypted files.
In order to try to help you we need to know what version of Windows
this is on and whether this is or is not domain joined (now and when
the EFS encryption first happened).
We will assume that you are trying to gain access to the files with the
same account as was used to encrypt the files.
Finally note that setting a folder to "Encrypt contents to secure data",
or unchecking that, does not automatically encrypt all files, but instead
says that on the next access the file should be encrypted (or does not
say that when unchecked). Similarly unchecking it does not unencrypt
the files that already have been encrypted.
The Access Denied message can happen because of NTFS permissions
(lack of) or because of inability to decrypt EFS guarded files. So, can
we know that you have ruled out the NTFS permissions part ?

Roger

"Tyler T" <TylerT@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2662FD25-2193-4508-B36D-1425F3B6D0FE@microsoft.com...
>I used Windows encryption to encrypt a folder 2 years ago. Now I am unable
> to decrypt (un-encrypt) the folder. It says "Access Denied". I clicked on
> Properties-Advanced and unchecked the box "Encrypt contents to secure
> data".
>
> I use Verisign PKI certs that are renewed annually. I see that the old
> ones
> are still available in IE.
>
> Any ideas of how to un-encrypt the folder and files. I need to move these
> to
> a new HDD.
>