Most have interfaces for import and export which can be used for backup purposes too. And there exist 3rd party tools for the same purpose. Several builtin tools as well as other standard tools offer certificate management for various purposes. Sounds its time for your user to get another lesson on key and certificate management and encryption with and without certificates. So if they have backups, these backups should include also certificates if these were needed. To unlock these files, all you need to do is log into your computer using your password. Encrypted files do not have a special file extension, but they do have a padlock displayed on the icon. With EFS, you can encrypt individual files or folders. That is intended behaviour for protection against theft. EFS comes with Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

So they should have known expected side effects of resetting or removing files. If you use other tools, they remind you before first use which precautions to take for moving or deleting data. I usually want to be able to access encrypted data of different devices.įrankygee wrote:2300peterw, Unfortunately when the PC crashed they ran a reset removing all files and apps (they had a backup!!!! or so they thought). If it uses certificates, then I expect these to be stored inside. Perhaps I may need it next month for a trip. I also have IDRIX VeraCrypt but didn't use it yet productively. For the archives, I don't know which tool uses which manner. With the file encryption I use, there is no certificate associated. When I try to open a file I just get the message 'Cannot open file. I don't see anyway to implement a password to open the files. I don't think there is one if you encrypt.

Frankygee wrote:scheff1 they think they have a password but can remember.

How to access encrypted files