Windows 10: Some files converted to .pfile after encryption with no way to open files.

Cannot Access Encrypted Files After Successfully Importing Encrypting File System (EFS) Certificate

I encrypted a folder and its contents on my Windows 10 system. I then successfully backed-up (export) my EFS certificate to a thumb drive and successfully imported the EFS certificate to a Windows 7 system. I confirmed the EFS certificate did in fact install on the Windows 7 system and is located in my Personal | Certificates folder.


However, when I attempt to test the certificate by coping several of the encrypted files from my Windows 10 system to a USB drive and then attempting to open the files on my Windows 7 system, the file will not open. Windows as added a .PFILE file extension to each of the documents. It's my understanding the .PFILE indicates a protected file; which would be correct.


I can open the files on the USB drive without any issues on my Windows 10 system. So, I'm confused why I can't open them on my Windows 7 system since I received successful confirmations on my both the export and import of the EFS certificate.


Any suggestions?



I reposted this question as it was asked 3 years ago and MS never answered the question.



To assist you better, please share the information:

1. Do you get any error message?
2. Is the issue particular to all files?
3. Which version of Windows 7 Operating System is installed?

Here's the information you requested.



(1) I receive a message that Windows cannot open the file. The file name appears (e.g., TestDocument.docx.PFILE). Because the .PFILE is added, it's wants to know what program I want to use to open .PFILE files. I have two options (1) search the internet (2) select an installed program. As an example the file name TestDocument.docx appears as TestDocument.docs.PFILE on both Windows 7 systems.



(2) It occurs on all files. I tested Adobe Acrobat Document (.pdf), Text (txt), MS Excel (xlsx), MS Word (docx), MS PowerPoint (pptx), and Photo (jpg) files. In each case, when I open File Explore on the Windows 7 systems, I see the file name, file extension and .PFILE (e.g., TestDocument.pdf.PFILE). If I move the files back to the Windows 10 system, I see the file name and file extension (e.g., TestDocument.pdf); they open without an issues.



(3) Windows 7 Professional (32-bit). One has SP1, the other SP2. The Windows 10 systems in a 64-bit OS. I wonder if that could make a difference. I don't have any issues using the same files on any of the three systems as long as they are are not encrypted.



Note: I added a new user to my Windows 10 system and tried to open the EFS files. I received an error message: "There was an error opening this document: Access Denied". That's what I expected, I then imported the EFS certificate to the new user's profile and opened the files without any issues. This is exactly what I'm trying to do on my Windows 7 systems, but I can't the process to work on the EFS files.



Thank you


Please get back to us with the requested information and we'll be glad to assist you.


Hi,



We would like to know more about your concern.


1. Is it happening to all your files?


2. What have you done so far to resolve the issue?



Thank you.

______________________________________


1. It is only happening to some files.

2. Nothing works and MS never suggested anything for the past 3 years. I tried Azure because that is the only MS product that supposedly opens these files but it does not.

:)

 

PFILES AND ENCRYPTION

I am having issue with encrypted files and folders. Here's the story

Had Windows 7 Professional, had Flash Drive, both worked fine but convinced to go to Windows 10. When I Did the flash became an issue. Every single file was changed. For example if the file was saved honey.doc it changed to honey.docx.PFILE, the
same with Excel, Power Point, Access, Adobe PDF, Jpegs, PNG files ) all files changed to add the x in docx and then the PFILE. so after 12 hours on phone, chat, etc with Windows and Office Support- no one could help. Ran three different (not cheap) virus
scans- nothing showed for my laptop or the Flash.

Then I pulled files off the Cloud that I had saved thee for backup- put them on NEW Flash- same thing when i opened they were PFILES. Did it again, new flash, saved them on a different computer, they opened- then tried my laptop and nothing - they
are still PFILES. So then to save space I tried to zip a few (from other computer) and it said they were encrypted. So I followed the following steps 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the encrypted file that you want to decrypt. 2. Right-click
the encrypted file, and then click Properties. 3. On the General tab, click Advanced. 4. Click to clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, click OK, and then click OK again

For the files each and for the folders I To remove encryption from a folder, follow these steps: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the encrypted folder that you want to decrypt. 2. Right-click the folder, and then click Properties. 3.
On the General tab, click Advanced. 4. Click to clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, click OK, and then click OK again. 5. When you are prompted to confirm the attribute change

Ok so both worked and said it was done applying the attributes.

However, I used a different computer today files would not open in anything except PFILES again, came home they opened fine.

So any ideas how to fix these files where they work everywhere- is there a settting I can change on my laptop?

Any body know anything to save my butt

Computer is Dell- Windows 10 Pro-Office 8

Intel (R) Core(TM) 15-321OM CPU @ 2.50 GHz

Installed Ram 4.00 GB

64 Bit x 64 Bit Processsor

Changed from Windows 7 Professional 1 week ago

Tried converting back to see if it fixed files it did not

As stated 9.5 hours on with support remotely accessing my computer

Three virus scans- McAvee, Windows Defender and Norton

3 different NEW flash drives

Thanks in advance

Sylvia

 

Encryption issues and PFILES

I am having issue with encrypted files and folders. Here's the story

Had Windows 7 Professional, had Flash Drive, both worked fine but convinced to go to Windows 10. When I Did the flash became an issue. Every single file was changed. For example if the file was saved honey.doc it changed to
honey.docx.PFILE, the same with Excel, Power Point, Access, Adobe PDF, Jpegs, PNG files ) all files changed to add the x in docx and then the PFILE. so after 12 hours on phone, chat, etc with Windows and Office Support- no one could help. Ran three different
(not cheap) virus scans- nothing showed for my laptop or the Flash.

Then I pulled files off the Cloud that I had saved thee for backup- put them on NEW Flash- same thing when i opened they were PFILES. Did it again, new flash, saved them on a different computer, they opened- then tried my laptop and nothing - they
are still PFILES. So then to save space I tried to zip a few (from other computer) and it said they were encrypted. So I followed the following steps 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the encrypted file that you want to decrypt. 2. Right-click
the encrypted file, and then click Properties. 3. On the General tab, click Advanced. 4. Click to clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, click OK, and then click OK again

For the files each and for the folders I To remove encryption from a folder, follow these steps: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the encrypted folder that you want to decrypt. 2. Right-click the folder, and then click Properties. 3.
On the General tab, click Advanced. 4. Click to clear the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, click OK, and then click OK again. 5. When you are prompted to confirm the attribute change

Ok so both worked and said it was done applying the attributes.

However, I used a different computer today files would not open in anything except PFILES again, came home they opened fine.

So any ideas how to fix these files where they work everywhere- is there a settting I can change on my laptop?

Any body know anything to save my butt

Computer is Dell- Windows 10 Pro-Office 8

Intel (R) Core(TM) 15-321OM CPU @ 2.50 GHz

Installed Ram 4.00 GB

64 Bit x 64 Bit Processsor

Changed from Windows 7 Professional 1 week ago

Tried converting back to see if it fixed files it did not

As stated 9.5 hours on with support remotely accessing my computer

Three virus scans- McAvee, Windows Defender and Norton

3 different NEW flash drives

Thanks in advance

Sylvia

 

Windows XP file encryption

LOL thanks, I think its standard windows XP file encryption