Windows 10: Cannot access EFS encrypted files/folders using File Sharing SMB

I searched and found an article similar to this one on Microsoft's site:


https://www.fonepaw.com/windows/access-denied-folder-file-windows.html


And from my diagnosis I have trouble accessing EFS encrypted files and folders.


https://www.tenforums.com/network-sharing/157842-network-error-windows-cannot-access-you-do-not-have-permission.html#post1932396


I get past that screen, I can see and browse shares but I cannot open encrypted files:


\\name.operation420.net\share\file.txt
You do not have permission to open this file. See the owner of the file or an administrator to obtain permission.


If I decrypt files I can access them so share or filesystem permissions are not an issue, I can
access the files logged on regularly, I have the key on all Windows logons I use.

I cannot risk security and decrypt the files from my drives. A workaround I have is to run a
Linux VirtualBox install, create a shared folder in VirtualBox of the folders I want to share
that the Linux VM can see, and then setup a Samba server and share the mounted VirtualBox shared
folders. Except for an issue I have with files and/or folders containing dollar $igns, it
works as expected when browsing the Linux shares. I can access files encrypted with EFS, I can
copy files to EFS encrypted folders, they will copy as normal and the files will be in the
folder encrypted. The whole point of EFS is that encryption/decryption should be transparent.

Is this a bug in Windows, or is there something I am missing?

The Linux VM workaround is somewhat useful, except for files and or folders with dollar $igns in
their names, which might be out of scope for this forum, and for systems that are not powerful enough and/or lack RAM to run VirtalMachines...


I am using Windows 10 20H2, but remember this happening on other versions...

:)

 

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.

 

Encrypting File System (EFS) BackUp question

Hi Carlos.

When i encrypt my first folder (Receipt) i did a EFS BackUp (BackUp the certificates and keys) to a removable disk.

But then i wonder if i should encrypt the BackUp folder (EFS BackUp).

If i lost my certificates (because of a disk failure, for example)

When i then restore the backup copy to Windows.

Can i regain access to these files if the BackUp folder is encrypted ?.

 

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.