Windows 10: Help with Accessing Encrypted Folder After Windows Reinstallation

Dear Microsoft Support, I enabled encryption for one of my folders to protect my data. Recently, after using the same system for three years, I performed a clean installation of Windows. After the installation, I realized that the folder had been encrypted. I searched for the encryption certificate on the new system and was able to find it. However, I do not remember the password for the certificate. Unfortunately, all of my backups contain encrypted files, and I am currently unable to access any of them. Is there any way to install the certificate on my computer without the password? Or is th

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Encrypting a folder

Hello Bill,

To encrypt a folder in Windows 10 Home, follow these steps:

• Right-click the folder you want to encrypt and click Properties.
• On the General tab, click Advanced.
• Under Compress or Encrypt attributes, click Encrypt contents to secure data.
• Click OK then Apply to save the changes.

We're just here if you need further help.

 

Help! File permission errors in encrypted folder

Hi Bill,

To assist you better, I would like to ask some questions:

• Are you the Administrator of the computer?
• Are you connected to a domain network?

I suggest you to decrypt the folder by following the steps below and check if it helps.

• Right-click the folder or file you want to decrypt, and then click Properties.
• 
  Click the General tab, and then click Advanced.
  
• 
  Clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, click
  OK, and then click OK again.
  

Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.

 

Can't Encrypting Folder

Hi Jeanette,

The Encrypting File System (EFS) is the built-in encryption tool in Windows used to encrypt files and folders on NTFS drives to protect them from unwanted access. This is the strongest protection that is available in Windows to help you
keep your individual files and folders secure. Here are the steps on how you can encrypt files and folders in Windows 10:

• Right-click the folder or file you want to encrypt, and then click Properties.
• In the General tab, click on the Advanced button.
• Check the Encrypt contents to secure data box, and click on OK.
• Click OK and close Properties window.
• Apply changes to the folder, subfolders and files when prompted. If it is a file, select to either Encrypt the file and its parent folder or Encrypt the file only for what you want, and click
  on OK.

Tip: The first time you encrypt a folder or file, an encryption certificate is automatically created. You should backup your encryption certificate. If you lose access to your encrypted files
and folders, you will not be able to open them again unless you first restore the file encryption key for them.

Do let us know if you need any other assistance.

Regards.