Windows 10: URGENT!! Decrypt files after deleting encryption certificate

Dear community

This is very urgent and i can't come up with a solution by my own. I'm getting scared that the mess i created isn't fixable.

A while back i created an EFS encryption for my Laptop. As i'm not really an IT expert, i didn't really know what i was doing so i was surprised that now all files i create on my computer were automatically encrypted. What i actually wanted was to encrypt specific files. But i left it for quite a long time because i didn't find a solution to reverse it. It really started to annoy me that i had to decrypt my files every time i wanted to transfer them to another computer. Today i was so annoyed that i tried again to find a solution. I googled and found an instruction on how to delete the encryption certificate. Without really thinking i assumed that by deleting the thing i created some time ago, all the files would decrypt and my problems would be solved. So i didn't hesitate and deleted the certificates. Now all my files are s encrypted, but i can't decrypt them separately anymore.

All my files from university are on this computer and i can't access or decrypt them anymore.

Does anyone have an advice on how to solve this?

Thank your for your help

:)

 

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.

 

Decryption of encrypted files

Hi,

One of our employee deleted and encrypted the files in the F: drive using cipher.exe command. While trying to recover them with a third party software, the deleted files are showing and all of them are encrypted. Can anyone suggest how can i decrypt and
recover all the deleted data back?

 

Decrypt Encrypted Files and folders Backed up from Win 7 to Win 10

Hi Dania,

Thank you for reply. Sorry for the delay.

• Did you use any program or software to encrypt files?
• Did you try to decrypt with the encryption certificate/key?
• What error did you receive when you try to decrypt?

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. For more information, see
Back up Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate.

Please get back to us with the required information to assist you further.