Windows 10: Lost access to my encrypted folder

Recently I reset my PC, with a hard drive previously formatted unplugged containing some backup files that I would like to have kept. Since the reset, my encrypted folder is now inaccessible, and I’ve tried to mess around with the permissions and folder properties but I’ve had no luck.

:)

 

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.

 

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.

 

Can't encrypt or password protect folders?

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. I understand the inconvenience you faced.
I will certainly help you with this.

The information which you have provided is not enough for us to determine the issue. Please provide us more information.

• Are you logging-in using Administrator User account?
• Is this issue specific to any particular folder or persist in all the folders?

Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that you can use to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure. I suggest you to try
log-in through other Administrator account and perform the below given steps to encrypt the folder and check if it works:

How to encrypt a file

• Right-click (or tap and hold) a file or folder and select Properties.
• Select the Advanced... button and select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.
• Select OK to close the Advanced Attributes window, select
  Apply, and then select OK.

Please post back with the results and the information asked, we will be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.