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Decryption of files that were encrypted with Windows encryption

  • 28-07-2010 04:31PM
    #1
    ChristyM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭


    Hi

    Hopefully I am in the right forum.

    My problem is I encrypted some files on my laptop with the standard windows encryption, which is grand. Then water was spilt on my laptop :mad: and now it won't boot up. I have taken out the hard-drive and can see all my files but I cannot open the files that have need encrypted. What do I do? :confused:

    Thanks

    ChristyM


Comments

  • #2
    mp22
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 6,854 Mod ✭✭✭✭mp22


    can you fit the hd into another laptop and then boot it up,it should boot as if it was yours


  • #3
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,022 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    Are you talking about Windows bitlocker?


  • #4
    hello932
    Closed Accounts Posts: 325 ✭✭hello932


    If you used windows bitlocker you may be in luck http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/05/windows_bitlocker_attacks/

    If on the other hand you used some other program like truecrypt then the only way to access your files is via a brute force attack i imagine-depending how complex your settings were-did you use passwords or keyfiles?

    You do have external back up's dont you?


  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'm assuming you're using the standard Windows EFS encryption? Without the certificate I'm not sure what you can do, I keep a copy of my cert as a .pfx file to protect myself from mishaps.

    edit
    Actually... there is something you can do. You can attempt to boot the OS on another machine. It doesn't always work (though I can help you there), but if you can even get it into safe mode that should be good enough.


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