Windows 10: How do I decrypt files without the certificate?

I recently changed jobs and returned the laptop with the certificate on it. I now have files on an external hard drive that I cannot gain access to. To further compound matters, I switched over to the enemy Apple. I still have access to my wife's windows 10 machine so I can do something there if needed. Is there any way I can get access to these files back? I cannot remember if I encrypted them on Windows 10 or after I switched to Windows 11. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

:)

 

Windows 10 Encryption/Decryption of Folders/Files 'Certificate'

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

To understand the issue better, I suggest you to answer the below question.

• Were you able to Encrypt the data?
• Did you get any error message?
• What exact issue are you facing with Encryption and Decryption?

Note: The first time you encrypt a folder or file, an encryption certificate is automatically created. You should back up your encryption certificate.
If your certificate and key are lost or damaged and you don't have a backup,
you won't be able to use the files that you have encrypted.

Keep us posted to help you better.

 

File system decryption - cannot decrypt file

m:\Dat1\>cipher /d m:\Dat1\my.txt

Decrypting files in m:\Dat1\

my.txt [ERR]
my.txt: The specified file could not be decrypted.

0 file(s) [or directorie(s)] within 1 directorie(s) were decrypted.

m:\Dat1>cipher /c my.txt

Listing m:\Dat1\
New files added to this directory will not be encrypted.

E my.txt
Compatibility Level:
Windows XP/Server 2003
Users who can decrypt:
Certificate thumbprint: 5E65 6397 2032 D218 4C7C 054D C54D 9740 60D2 3268
No recovery certificate found.
Key information cannot be retrieved.
The specified file could not be decrypted.

The main questions:

1) IF I have in my Windows account imported certificate (Personal, pfx) having exactly SAME thumbprint - should Windows decrypt file?

2) If Windows has several EFS certificates installed - does it select certificate to decrypt file automatically?

 

URGENT!! Decrypt files after deleting encryption certificate

have you tried To decrypt a file or folder:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs or All Programs, then Accessories, and then Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the file or folder you want to decrypt, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click Advanced.
4. Clear the Encrypt contents to secure data checkbox, and then click OK.

When you decrypt a folder, you must decide whether to decrypt the folder only or to decrypt the folder and all files and subfolders contained within it. If you choose to decrypt the folder only, the files and subfolders within the folder remain encrypted. However, when you add new files and subfolders to the folder, they will not be automatically encrypted.