Windows 10: Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update

Discus and support Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; I commented on my problem in the community because in Support they could not give me a solution to the problem and they suggested that I seek advice in... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by Juan CT, Mar 18, 2019.

  1. Juan CT Win User

    Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update


    I commented on my problem in the community because in Support they could not give me a solution to the problem and they suggested that I seek advice in this community.

    Since my previous notebook with all my personal files was stolen, in the new one I created a folder with activated EFS to encrypt the content. This was back in 2015.

    I never had any problem with EFS or anything else, until a Windows 10 update that was made in late December 2018 early January 2019.

    After it, ALL FILES previously encrypted were inaccessible. It is not possible to edit them, copy them, or perform any operation with them, except to delete them.

    The user did not change, nor was it erased, the user's password was not changed, and the encryption certificates were not deleted (I verified it with certmgr.msc).

    It seems that the user's certificate had been disconnected, and therefore when the user (original creator and owner of the files) tries to decrypt them, the system does not allow it.

    Someone has had a similar problema?. Any idea or suggestion will be infinitely grateful, since the encrypted files are almost totally familiar images, of no monetary value but irreplaceable affectively.

    From now on I advance that I have backup of the files ... also encrypted, as is logical. Greetings,

    :)
     
    Juan CT, Mar 18, 2019
    #1

  2. Win 10 pro EFS Encrypting File System Problem (Dell)

    Hi,

    Thank you for being a part of Windows 10.

    I appreciate you for providing details about the issue and we are happy to help you.

    I suggest you to start the Encrypting File System (EFS) Service and check if it helps.

    Follow the below steps:

    • Press Windows key + R from the Keyboard.
    • Type services.msc and hit Enter.
    • Search for Encrypting File System (EFS) Service.
    • Double click on Encrypting File System (EFS) Service and click on
      Start button.
    • Click on the dropdown list and set the Startup type to
      Automatic.
    If the issue still persists then, I suggest you to post the same question in TechNet forum for further assistance with this issue. Follow the below link to post your question in TechNet forum.

    Technet forums

    Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

    Thank you.
     
    Harshavardhan Rathod, Mar 18, 2019
    #2
  3. desk77 Win User
    Backup the EFS encryption key file


    Yesterday I installed OneDrive app and linked it to my office 365 enterprise University account. Since then, every time I turn on my pc, I receive a warning about backup of the encryption key from EFS application. But I have never used bitlocker.
    I did some search online and I got the list of all encrypted files: there are thousands of files and belongs to Apps, like facebook, onedrive, inkscape and so on.
    So my questions are:
    • why did that message suddenly appear?
    • why are those files encrypted?
    • do those files have to be encrypted?
    • bitdefender has just found Gen:Trojan.Heur2.GZ.@FZ@bq2Abpn in temp folder. Could I have got a ransomware that is encrypting all files?
    Thanks in advance!
     
    desk77, Mar 18, 2019
    #3
  4. Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update

    Can I recover encrypted files with EFS without having key.pfx file ?

    Hi Michael,

    The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a built-in encryption tool for Windows. It is used to encrypt files and folders on your computer. You can reverse the encryption to access your files again. To decrypt folders, follow the steps below:

    • Right-click the folder or file, then click Properties.
    • Click the General tab, then click Advanced.
    • Uncheck the Encrypt contents to secure data checkbox.
    • If you are decrypting folders, select the option Apply changes to this folder, subfolder and files.
    • Click OK, then click OK again to exit the window.
    Let us know if the solution above works for you.
     
    Johann Eva, Mar 18, 2019
    #4
Thema:

Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update

Loading...
  1. Serious problem with files encrypted with EFS, inaccessible after an update - Similar Threads - Serious problem files

  2. Recovering EFS encrypted files?

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Recovering EFS encrypted files?: My Windows Laptop recently was damaged and I've had to replace it with a new similar machine. I am trying to recover some files from the original broken machine which are unfortunately not recently backed-up. Since the SSD C: drive from the old machine is undamaged and fully...
  3. Recovering EFS encrypted files?

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Recovering EFS encrypted files?: My Windows Laptop recently was damaged and I've had to replace it with a new similar machine. I am trying to recover some files from the original broken machine which are unfortunately not recently backed-up. Since the SSD C: drive from the old machine is undamaged and fully...
  4. EFS encryption

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    EFS encryption: Does anyone know how to open/unlock files that have been encrypted using the Windows 10 EFS security when the motherboard quits and the SSD and HDD have been encrypted using the EFS?Windows 10 Proto encrypt: select folder in explorer>r click properties>general...
  5. EFS encrypted files

    in Windows 10 Network and Sharing
    EFS encrypted files: I don't have the encryption certificate but seem to have the encryption file key on a USB drive. Is there a way to recover a deleted certificate? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-encrypted-files/7e1a837d-3e08-4156-8e6f-f3b71ecc89d4
  6. EFS encrypted files

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    EFS encrypted files: I don't have the encryption certificate but seem to have the encryption file key on a USB drive. Is there a way to recover a deleted certificate? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-encrypted-files/7e1a837d-3e08-4156-8e6f-f3b71ecc89d4
  7. EFS encrypted files

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    EFS encrypted files: I don't have the encryption certificate but seem to have the encryption file key on a USB drive. Is there a way to recover a deleted certificate? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-encrypted-files/7e1a837d-3e08-4156-8e6f-f3b71ecc89d4
  8. copying EFS files encrypted files

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    copying EFS files encrypted files: Hello,i am studying for the md-100 exam and came across this posthttps://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-copying-moving-files/a013bd25-fca9-475c-a4aa-15b8e2de3b51Here it states that any user can move encrypted files on the same drive.However ik tested this...
  9. copying EFS files encrypted files

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    copying EFS files encrypted files: Hello,i am studying for the md-100 exam and came across this posthttps://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-copying-moving-files/a013bd25-fca9-475c-a4aa-15b8e2de3b51Here it states that any user can move encrypted files on the same drive.However ik tested this...
  10. copying EFS files encrypted files

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    copying EFS files encrypted files: Hello,i am studying for the md-100 exam and came across this posthttps://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/efs-copying-moving-files/a013bd25-fca9-475c-a4aa-15b8e2de3b51Here it states that any user can move encrypted files on the same drive.However ik tested this...

Users found this page by searching for:

  1. files encrypted after windows update

    ,
  2. after update my files are encrypted with some certificate