Windows 10: Efs files

Dear Greg This is Tommy, thanks for getting back to me. I have tried everything, the folder is encrypted "EFS" and the security key is long gone. The computer crashed and a friend reformatted the harddrive and reinstalled windows. This was 10 years ago. I have been trying since then to open this folder and all the photos etc that I put in it without knowing that they were being encrypted too.

:)

 

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.

 

decrypting efs file

I assume that you never created a backup key or recovery agent as would have been suggested when you first started using EFS.

The way that Elcomsoft and other data recovery experts attempt to recover encrypted files is to search through the system's hard drive for information that they can use to recreate the decryption key. If you threw away the laptop and its system drive and
all you have now is the encrypted file itself, you're out of luck.

From Elcomsoft's explanation (Advanced EFS Data Recovery | Elcomsoft Co.Ltd.):

You can always email or call Elcomsoft or one of the other data recovery firms, but I would expect them to tell you the same thing.

 

EFS

When I try to use EFS to encrypt file(s), once I have changed the file's encrypt attribute and pressed Apply, the system tells me I am trying to encrypt files using a smart card with the only option available to Cancel. I haven't got a smart card reader
much less a smartcard & never have had.

I am correct in thinking that EFS can be used without a smart card, am I not?

If so can anyone suggest how I can get it to behave itself?

Rick