Copy/paste encryted file

[VicM]

thread1726-1642114
Folks,
The above thread mirrors exactly my problem.
I have an encrypted file which I want to copy and paste from an external drive into another folder on my laptop running Win7. The original file was created/encrypted on an XP machine with Raid drives (2). Both drives failed, but I was able to contact a tech friend and we worked at copying files from one of the 'dead' drives onto an external drive. (Both drives failed to spin up; but by applying some vigorous tapping to the hub we managed to get one of the drives to spin allowing us to copy from the drive. I tried using this technique when using the drive to boot up the XP machine. But besides the 'Degraded Raid' message, I'm also getting a 'SMART event' message and the machine just freezes.)

The encrypted file is the data file for Password Corral, a program which stores all IDs and passwords I use.

I have taken ownership of this file, and am also the administrator of my laptop with full permissions, but when I attempt to paste it, or even decrypt it, the messages tell me I require permission from myself! Exactly as described in the above referenced thread. The only options are 'Try Again' or 'Cancel'. Needless to say, the 'Try Again' doesn't work.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Vic

 

[linney]

If you don't have the correct EFS Certificate from the XP machine you might have lost those files forever. It might be possible to find some third party recovery tool but encrypted files are not ment to be decrypted by other people.

An encrypted file or folder might be decrypted if you CAN????? copy it to a volume that is not an NTFS file system volume (ie.a FAT, or FAT32, CD or Floppy disk, USB).


Windows XP Professional Product Documentation > Security and administration-Best practices

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...cs/en-us/sag_seconceptsimpefsbp.mspx?mfr=true

Without an EFS Certificate you are going to have problems.

How to decrypt files without the EFS Certificate

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/136179-45-decrypt-files-certificate

How To Migrate EFS Files and Certificates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722147(v=ws.10).aspx

Recover Encrypted Files From An Old Hard Drive

http://www.pcworld.com/article/254642/recover_encrypted_files_from_an_old_hard_drive.html

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

 

[goombawaho]

What Linney says seems to cover it, but I have a question. What was the owner of this computer doing as not only the first drive but the second drive in the RAID failed? Unless it was RAID1, somebody wasn't paying attention at all.

 

[VicM]

linney,
Thanks for your input. I tried copying the file to a flash drive. But got the same response.
I will investigate the other suggestions you posted. Maybe something will help.

Vic