Files contained in a Windows encrypted folder give error opening even after decryption

FireMarshalBill69

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I had encrypted a folder that is on a USB external drive (not a thumb drive). When I encrypted the folder, it never asked me to configure a password. However, the encryption seems to have worked as there was a lock. Now, when I decrypted the folder, it did go through the visible motions, and the lock has disappeared. However, when I try to open any file, it gives the error, "Cannot open document...access is denied". I can open all the subfolders, but I get the error only when I try to open the files. I really need to get into these documents. I regret having encrypted them in the first place.

I hope you can help me. TIA.
 
Solution
It sounds like the permission reset was successful, but lingering EFS settings might still be blocking access. Here are a few additional steps you can try:
  1. Check EFS Certificate:
    • If the files were encrypted using the Encrypting File System (EFS), you will need the original user account with which the folder was encrypted, or a backup of the EFS certificate.
    • Open "Certificate Manager" (certmgr.msc) and check if there are any certificates related to EFS. Import them if necessary.
  2. Decrypt Files Individually:
    • Sometimes decrypting files individually, rather than the entire directory, can work when encountering stubborn files. Right-click each file and check the Advanced tab under Properties...
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I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. The "Access Denied" error usually happens because of permission or encryption key issues. Here are some steps you can follow to try and resolve this:
  1. Check Permissions:
    • Right-click on the problematic folder or files.
    • Select "Properties" > "Security" tab.
    • Ensure that your user account has full control over the files.
  2. Decrypt with Administrative Privileges:
    • Open a Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Use the following command to reset permissions:
      icacls "path_to_your_folder" /grant your_username:(F) /t
    • Replace path_to_your_folder with your folder's path and your_username with your actual username.
  3. Backup and Restore EFS Certificate:
    • EFS (Encrypting File System) uses certificates for encryption. If the certificate isn’t available, you might not access the decrypted files.
    • Check if you have a backup of your EFS certificate. Import it via the Certificate Manager.
  4. Utilize File Recovery Software:
    • If encryption was done using EFS and you lack the original keys or certificates, professional data recovery software might be required. Some users have used EFS Data Recovery tools successfully .
  5. Third-party Encryption Tools:
    • If a third-party tool was employed, ensure that the decryption process from the specific software is correctly followed.
  6. Compatibility with Another System:
    • Try accessing the files on a different Windows installation where you have administrator rights.
You'll need to try these systematically to see which one resolves your issue. Remember, never encrypt or decrypt files without ensuring you have your encryption keys or backups safely stored.
If the issue persists, providing more details about the encryption process or tools used may help in diagnosing the problem further. Let me know if you need more help!
 
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Thank you. I tried step 2, and it seemed to have done something as I saw it scrolling down through all the file names and told me there were no errors. But I still cannot open any files. I do have administrator access on the machine.

Can you please give me a step by step instruction on how to do step 3?
 
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It sounds like the permission reset was successful, but lingering EFS settings might still be blocking access. Here are a few additional steps you can try:
  1. Check EFS Certificate:
    • If the files were encrypted using the Encrypting File System (EFS), you will need the original user account with which the folder was encrypted, or a backup of the EFS certificate.
    • Open "Certificate Manager" (certmgr.msc) and check if there are any certificates related to EFS. Import them if necessary.
  2. Decrypt Files Individually:
    • Sometimes decrypting files individually, rather than the entire directory, can work when encountering stubborn files. Right-click each file and check the Advanced tab under Properties for encryption status.
  3. Check Deny Permissions:
    • A "Deny" permission set on a file or folder can override "Allow" permissions. Check for any unusual entries under the Security tab and remove them as necessary.
  4. Use Safe Mode:
    • Booting into Safe Mode can sometimes bypass processes that might block access. Once in Safe Mode, attempt the decryption again.
  5. Third-Party Recovery Software:
    • If nothing else works, you might consider using third-party tools. Look for EFS data recovery programs that are designed to handle situations like this.
  6. Try Exporting and Importing an EFS Certificate:
    • Export your EFS certificate from a working machine or if you have a backup, and import it back into your current system.
Let me know if you need more help! These steps can help tackle some of the more nuanced issues with encrypted files.
 
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Solution
Thanks for your quick, helpful responses. I am very grateful.

You were right on #2. I followed #2 and was surprised that when I went into Advanced Properties, the file showed as STILL being encrypted, as there was a check mark next to "Encrypt contents...". So, evidently, the files did not get decrypted. So, I tried to decrypt the file, but got the following error. In fact, all the files have the same issue. As for step #3 for each and every file, under my user name, there were no Deny's. And, for all of them, I have full control and no Deny boxes are checked. The only box that is not checked under Allow is "Special Permissions", which cis greyed out, anyway. Do you still think Safe mode might help considering the folder has no Deny boxes checked under my profile?

 
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Thanks for the details and the image. Here's what you can try next:
  1. Safe Mode:
    • Booting into Safe Mode might still be beneficial as it runs only essential system processes. This environment can be less restrictive as other applications and processes are not running. Once in Safe Mode, try the decryption process again.
  2. Check for Read-Only Attributes:
    • Ensure that the files or folders are not set to "Read-Only." You can check this by right-clicking, selecting "Properties," and unchecking the "Read-Only" box if selected.
  3. Run a System File Check:
    • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Run the following command:
      sfc /scannow
    • This will repair corrupted system files which might be impacting file operations.
  4. Decrypt Files Individually Again:
    • Try to run the decryption process again on individual files and use "Ignore All" to bypass any that are problematic, allowing you to deal with them one by one.
  5. Close Any Applications Using the File:
    • Ensure that no applications are using the files you are trying to decrypt.
  6. Third-Party File Unlocker:
    • Consider using a tool like Unlocker or IObit Unlocker to handle files that are locked by system processes.
These steps provide a few different angles to tackle the decryption blockage. Let me know if you need further assistance!
 
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I tried 1, 2, 3, and 4. No luck. I see that the parent folder in which all these files are has the option, "Encrypt contents to secure data" is UNchecked. However, the files within the folder all have that option checked. When I uncheck the option for each individual file, the check mark disappears, but when I apply or click OK, I get the following.

 
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It seems like the files are still encrypted, and you are encountering an error when trying to decrypt them. Here's what you can try next:
  1. Check Encryption Certificates:
    • Ensure that the encryption certificate for EFS (Encrypting File System) is available and imported if needed. This certificate is crucial for the decryption process.
    • Use the Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc) to view EFS certificates.
  2. Command Line Decryption:
    • You can try using the command line to remove the encryption attribute. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and use the cipher command like this:
      cipher /d /s:E:\DATA
    • This command attempts to decrypt all files in the specified directory recursively.
  3. Third-Party Tools:
    • Consider using third-party tools specifically designed to manage EFS encrypted files. These can sometimes bypass system-level restrictions that standard methods can’t handle.
  4. Permission Audit:
    • Although you've checked permissions, sometimes a comprehensive audit or adjustment using tools like SubInACL or AccessEnum can identify permission issues not visible in the standard UI.
  5. System Restore:
    • If you recently changed settings or installed updates that might have impacted encryption services, consider restoring the system to a previous state where the files were accessible.
  6. Technical Support:
    • If none of these steps work, professional data recovery services might be needed, especially if these files are critical.
These steps provide various approaches to hopefully resolve the decryption issue. Let me know if you need further assistance!
 
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Here's what you can try:
  • Right-click the file, select "Properties," click "Advanced," and see if "Encrypt contents to secure data" is checked.
  • Go to the "Details" tab in the file's properties to see which user acount encrypted it.
  • If you have a backup of the encryption certificate (a .pfx file), double-click it and follow the prompts to restore it.
  • In some setups, a DRA can decrypt files. If you're in such an environment, contact your system administrator.
  • If these steps don't work, consider consulting a data recovery software like Stellar, Disk Drill, Data Rescue and so on.

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If you're experiencing errors opening files from a Windows encrypted folder after decryption, consider the following steps to resolve the issue:
  1. Check File Properties:
    • Right-click the problematic file and select "Properties."
    • Click "Advanced" to see if "Encrypt contents to secure data" is checked.
  2. Ensure Correct User Access:
    • Go to the "Details" tab in the file properties to verify which user account encrypted it. Ensure you're logged into the correct account.
  3. Restore Encryption Certificates:
    • If you have a backup of the encryption certificate (a .pfx file), double-click it and follow the prompts to restore it. This is crucial if you used the Encrypting File System (EFS).
  4. Check Permissions:
    • Right-click on the folder or file, select "Properties" > "Security" tab, and ensure your user account has full control.
  5. Use Administrative Privileges:
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Use the following command to reset permissions:
      icacls "path_to_your_folder" /grant your_username:(F) /t
  6. Data Recovery Software:
    • If the above steps don't work, consider using data recovery software like Stellar, Disk Drill, or Data Rescue. These tools can sometimes recover accessible versions of your files.
Using these steps should help you regain access to your files. If the issue persists, consulting with a professional or using specialized recovery services might be necessary.
 
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I am sorry to say none of those worked. Finally, I had to replace the files with older versions from backups.

I will never use the garbage Windows encryption system again. I still do not know why it never asked me for a password when I set it up, or thereafter. Almost made me want to move to a Mac.
 
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I'm sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with EFS (Encrypting File System). Here's a bit more insight into why things might have gone the way they did:
  1. No Password Required:
    • EFS in Windows ties encryption to user account credentials and certificates, not separate passwords. When you log in, your user account automatically handles decryption if you have the corresponding keys.
  2. Importance of Certificates:
    • EFS relies on certificates stored in your Windows profile. If these are lost or not backed up, accessing your files can become impossible.
  3. Backing Up Necessary Keys:
    • A common frustration is the lack of prompts for backing up encryption certificates. Without these keys, files remain encrypted even when you attempt decryption, as seen in your case.
Windows encryption can indeed be tricky. If EFS doesn't meet your needs, consider more user-friendly encryption solutions, like BitLocker or third-party tools such as VeraCrypt, which can offer more flexible and straightforward encryption processes.
Transitioning to another platform like macOS is a personal choice, and while macOS also has its own encryption methods, each platform has unique strengths and weaknesses.
Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance or have more questions!
 
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