Windows 10: Can I recover encrypted files with EFS without having key.pfx file ?

So I know that this is answer but my files are not recovered. I had some encrypted efs folder in win 7 pc that was in office domain. Upgraded to win10, there was some issue, so had to format C$. Now my encrypted folder is in d drive but I guess the key was in C drive. I am unable to view the files eventhough its the same domain user that is trying to access. The folder has important office documents. Any solution to decrypt without a key?


Will be thankful forever,

:)

 

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

There is no solution available without the encryption key.

Might you be able to run
Recuva or similar on the old drive to undelete the old key [there is some information about its location in

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/278973-45-decryption-encrypted-file]? If you can get at the old key then the procedure used here should be able to help you -

How to open EFS encrypted files on an HDD that came from Windows XP

Without the key you are not going to recover those files. EFS is too good for that.

Denis

 

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:L: [email protected]@bq2Abpn in temp folder. Could I have got a ransomware that is encrypting all files?

Thanks in advance!

 

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.