Windows 10: Typo in encryption certificate

Hi all,When I entered the certificate dates when encrypting a folder I typed the wrong year in the to date. I have certmgr open right now and the Cert Details General tab show it is valid from 1/7/2022 to 12/14/2021, so it was expired from the get go. I'm trying to decrypt some files and getting nowhere fast. Any help will be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Jack

:)

 

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.

 

How to open recovered encrypted files

Hi Navid,

Thank you for posting in Community.

We understand your concern and we will provide the assistance required to help you resolve the issue.

You can lose access to encrypted files if you install a new operating system or upgrade your current one, or if your current operating system fails. The following steps can help you regain access to encrypted files.

As you have stated that, the recovered files belonged to the previous OS I would suggest that you transfer the encrypted files to an external drive and perform the steps mentioned below:

• Insert the USB that your certificate and key are saved on.
• Open Certificate Manager open Run Command and type
  certmgr.msc in the dialog box, and then press Enter.‌
  

Note: If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In the left pane, click Personal.

• Click the Action menu, point to All Tasks, and then click
  Import. This opens the Certificate Import wizard
  and then click Next.
• Click Browse and navigate to the file's location, click
  Open, and then click Next.
• If you have navigated to the right location but don't see the certificate you are importing, then, in the list next to the
  File name box, click Personal Information Exchange.
• Type the password, select the Mark this key as exportable check box, and then click
  Next.
• Click Place all certificates in the following store, confirm that the
  Personal store is indicated, click Next, and then click
  Finish.
• After you import the certificate, you should have access to the encrypted files.

Hope this information helps.

 

Windows 10 Encryption Backing Up the Certificate

Windows 10 Encryption.

My problem is when I try to backup the Certificate Key to an external drive as is recommended by Microsoft. ("Backup your file certificate key...")

The Certificate Export Wizard pops up.

I click NEXT.

The default display is for a .pfx file (which I assume is the default Certificate format when I encrypted the document).

I click NEXT.

Asks for a password and confirm password.

I complete the password step and click NEXT.

THEN THE PROBLEM

It asks for a "file name" for "File to Export.... Specify the name of the file you want to export"

I DON'T KNOW THE FILE NAME FOR THE CERTIFICATE.

The Certificate was automatically generated when I encrypted the file - it did not tell me what the certificate name is or where it is stored.

When I click the browse button, it is looking for a .pfx file but to perform the search I am required to click on every single subfolder individually to search for the .pfx file. It is not in the documents folder fyi.

How do I find the Certificate .pfx file in order to export it?