How to access Windows encrypted files after reformat?

I encrypted some files using the encryption facility provided by Windows. The files were on my hard disk. Now, I have formatted the system and reinstalled Windows. Now the files have become inaccessible. Is there a way the files can be accessed?

Manuj

• windows
• encryption

Comments

• Robert Cartaino: Hi, Manuj, thank you for the contribution, but this question isn't really related to the field of 'digital preservation.' It's a general computer support question, best asked on Super User. Sorry about the confusion.

Answer by Michael Kjörling

If you use the built-in NTFS encryption mode, then once you lose access to the SAM database in Windows (which holds the user account details), you no longer have access to the encryption/decryption key necessary to decrypt the files. This is because the keys are stored in the SAM database.

In reformatting, you lost access to the SAM database by normal means.

So, the files are for all intents and purposes impossible to access on that media.

If you have unencrypted backups, that's your best bet. Otherwise, I'm afraid you are pretty much out of luck.

If you are really lucky, it might be possible for a data recovery firm to access the data as it was prior to the reformatting, but I really wouldn't expect that. Their focus tends to be physically damaged media, not logically overwritten media.

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