BleepingComputer.com: Files Lost To Encryption On Re-install?

Hi Anyone,

I really hope that someone can help out with this.

I had to re-install Vista because of OS software problems only I forgot that I encrypted "My Documents". Needless to say I can't access the encrypted "My Documents" from the previously installed Vista.

Does anyone know a way to access these encrypted files?

These are very important business and financial files.

So, I really will appreciate any help here.

John

Hi Again,

I still haven't found a way to access my encrypted files from a previous Vista instillation.

If anyone has any familiarity with this subject any suggestions would be helpful. Any programs and/or services free or other wise that you know of?

These are very important files to me that I need for work and personal life. I would hate to lose them sense I've put a lot of time to to making them and I use them all the time.

So, anyone having any understanding that may help out here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

John

Hi John

Depending on how you reinstalled Vista will determine whether or not you might be able to recover your files.

If you did a wipe and fresh install much of your wanted files will have been over written in the process.
Plus you will have lost the Vista encryption certificate needed in the recovery process.
(I'm guessing you did not back up your files or the certificate either.)

There are some companies you could send your hard drive to for a chance at some partial recovery, but this costs in the thousands of dollars without any guarantees.
Every time you use that computer you are over writing old material.

You might read this article which explains how to Rescue Encrypted Files With Windows Vista (Possibly) if you can still see the files and can find the certificate.

I wish you luck.

Hi Koan Yorel,

Thanks for the link. That would probably work if I hadn't already deleted everything from th previous instillation of Vista, i.e., I don't have any files to even begin to look into for the encryption code and what not.

I kept the "My Documents" but nothing else.

Thanks anyhow, unless you know of anything for some having been as dumb as me for deleted everything before finding what I need.

John