Solved How to open encrypted folder after windows lost ?


William654

Well-known member
Member
VIP
Local time
11:55 AM
Posts
629
OS
Windows 11
When you select to encrypt a folder and this windows with admin user is lost is it possible if I installed new windows 11 and created same user name with same password to open the folder ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5900x
    Motherboard
    MAG X570S TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
    Memory
    32 GB G.Skill
    Graphics Card(s)
    RX 6800 XT
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ and AOC QHD 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    QHD
    Hard Drives
    2TB Intel 660p and 2TB Sabrent Rokect 4 plus nvme, 4TB HDD HGST
    PSU
    Corsair RM750
    Case
    Bloody rage
    Cooling
    Water cooling gamdias 240
    Keyboard
    razer ornata
    Mouse
    razer da v2
    Browser
    FF and Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
If you are referring to using Windows' "Encrypt contents to secure data" feature (NTFS Encrypting File System), available in Windows Pro editions, the answer is no; you cannot access the encrypted contents using the same account name with the same password.

To read the encrypted contents using a different account or computer, you need to export the encryption certificate from the account that you originally used to enable the option (which you seem to no longer have). You can do this by going to Control Panel -> Manage User Certificates -> Personal/Certificates. Using EFS without exporting the certificate will typically result in permanent loss of access to the encrypted contents in the future, as there is no other way to decrypt the contents if you lose access to the account without the certificate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex Micro 5000
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12500T
    Motherboard
    Dell 03V7GF
    Memory
    2 x 8GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    Intel Alder Lake-S PCH - cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
    Internet Speed
    500/1,000 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR
    Antivirus
    Windows defender. One-time free scanners: ESET, Sophos

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version:24H2 OS Build: 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC Model: SEi12
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel core i5-1235U(Alder
    Motherboard
    SEi (manufactured by AZW)
    Memory
    16*2 (32 GB) DDR 4-3200(1600MHz) Crucial Technology
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Internal)
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ GW2283
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB NVME (Kingston SNV2S500G)
    1TB (Crucial CT1000BX500SSD1)
    PSU
    Power Brick 19V-6.32A , 120.08W
    Keyboard
    Dell KB3322Wi (Wireless)
    Mouse
    Dell WM118t (Wireless)
    Internet Speed
    4G/5G
    Browser
    MS Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium - Subscription
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home Version 24H2 Build 26100. 3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3280 AIO 22"
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 8145U
    Motherboard
    Dell inc. 027W48
    Memory
    Intel Optane 16GB module + DDR 4 16GB (Optane disabled.)
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Monitor 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT1000BX500SSD1 ; 1000,2 GB
    PSU
    Power Brick
    Case
    All-in one
    Mouse
    Dell Wireless KM 636
    Keyboard
    Dell Wireless KM636
    Internet Speed
    4G
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Home on 28 Oct 2023

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5900x
    Motherboard
    MAG X570S TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
    Memory
    32 GB G.Skill
    Graphics Card(s)
    RX 6800 XT
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ and AOC QHD 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    QHD
    Hard Drives
    2TB Intel 660p and 2TB Sabrent Rokect 4 plus nvme, 4TB HDD HGST
    PSU
    Corsair RM750
    Case
    Bloody rage
    Cooling
    Water cooling gamdias 240
    Keyboard
    razer ornata
    Mouse
    razer da v2
    Browser
    FF and Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
I am asking before I use EFS.
Keep in mind that with EFS, other people can't read the content, but they can still see other file's attributes (name, dates, etc.) If you need to hide that too, use Veracrypt (or Cryptomator in some cases). Best protection against file theft may be per-file encryption like compression/encryption tools because you "always" need a password to open it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex Micro 5000
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12500T
    Motherboard
    Dell 03V7GF
    Memory
    2 x 8GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    Intel Alder Lake-S PCH - cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
    Internet Speed
    500/1,000 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR
    Antivirus
    Windows defender. One-time free scanners: ESET, Sophos

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom