Windows 10: Unable to open files encrypted using Windows EFS due to change in Domain

Hi,I have encrypted some of folders and files using EFS technique i.e., Encrypt option under Properties. The system my login user name during the encryption. Due to the recent merger of my organization, the domain name was changed and my system was migrated to the new domain. Post the migration, I'm unable to access the encrypted files. I'm unable to add the new username/domain to the file access as the access was denied. I also tried changing the file ownership which also was restricted to the new domain name.Unfortunately, I lost the EFS private key and do not know on how to recover the p

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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.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?forum=WinPreview2015General

Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.

 

EFS encryption

Hi, my name is Kelly, and I'm an independent consultant and I'm here to help.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble accessing your encrypted files after your motherboard died. Here are a few things you can try to regain access to your files:

Try logging in with the same user account: If you can still access the Windows installation on the original hard drive, try logging in with the same user account that was used to encrypt the files. This may allow you to access the encrypted files.

Use your EFS recovery agent: If you set up an EFS recovery agent when you encrypted the files, you may be able to use it to access the encrypted files. Check your EFS recovery agent certificate to see if you can use it to decrypt the files.

Decrypt the files using a backup of your EFS certificate: If you have a backup of your EFS certificate, you may be able to use it to decrypt the files. To do this, you'll need to import the EFS certificate into the certificate store of the computer you're using to access the encrypted files.

Contact a data recovery specialist: If you're unable to access your encrypted files using the above methods, you may need to contact a data recovery specialist who has experience with EFS encryption. They may be able to help you recover your encrypted files.

Note that EFS encryption is tied to the user account that encrypted the files and the specific hardware that was used to perform the encryption. If you're unable to access the encrypted files using any of the above methods, it may not be possible to recover them.

 

Unable to access/open encrypted files

Hello Tom,

We regret for the inconvenience and we understand the frustration when things don't go the way they supposed to. Let me assist you.

Before we proceed any further let us know a few more details on the below questions.

• Are you facing any issues while accessing data not encrypted in your PC?
• Did you observe the issue immediately after Windows 10 installation or after any software/hardware changes made to PC (if any) ?
• What is the relevant error message when you say 'locked and cannot be opened'?

As an initial recommendation, I suggest you to refer to the below thread, wherein
Niranjan Majhi has replied to on 31st May, 2016.

Cannot open EFS encrypted files after upgrading to Windows 10

Write to us with the updated status and the required information related to encrypted files in Windows, for us to be able to assist you further.

Thank You.