Encrypted files inaccessible

Question

Hi,

After new year, I have lost access to all my encrypted files. The files have existed since 10/8-2024, and was accessible until around 27/12-2024.

• I only have one profile on the computer.
• I have tried changing ownership of the files and folders, but it didn't work.

If i hit [Details] on Properties->Advance->[Details] (under Encrypt checkmark), i can see my account listed with a certificate thumbprint.

With powershell i can get the certificate using thumprint (Get-ChildItem -path 'Cert:\*34A50FB0897EB3D0E1B68EED94ACC8C38474B892' -Recurse | Format-List) and it is listed twice.

Subject      : CN=(account name)

Issuer       : CN=(account name)

Thumbprint   : 34A50FB0897EB3D0E1B68EED94ACC8C38474B892 

FriendlyName : 

NotBefore    : 10/1/2024 10:56:13 AM 

NotAfter     : 9/7/2124 10:56:13 AM 

Extensions   : {System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid} 

Subject      : CN=(account name)

Issuer       : CN=(account name)

Thumbprint   : 34A50FB0897EB3D0E1B68EED94ACC8C38474B892 

FriendlyName : 

NotBefore    : 10/1/2024 10:56:13 AM 

NotAfter     : 9/7/2124 10:56:13 AM 

Extensions   : {System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid}

(listed 2 times)

So the only thing to noticed, is that the CN= have a tailing whitespace in the name - if it matters?

I have tried the same on a different machine (old machine) where the encrypted files is (still) accessible, and it list around 8 entities. On those the CN= account name have no tailing whitespace.

What is next step to investigate?

***moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Accessibility***

Answer 1

a follow up, and further investigations

Seems I was wrong on the tailing whitespace in the CN= account name, a second check didn't have it(?)

But i have created some new encrypted files, and they have a different certificate thumbprint:

Subject      : CN=(account name) 

Issuer       : CN=(account name) 

Thumbprint   : C5270F3FAAAB6E6366E144AA5D1D86056D37999E 

FriendlyName : 

NotBefore    : 12/12/2024 10:12:07 AM 

NotAfter     : 11/18/2124 10:12:07 AM 

Extensions   : {System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid, System.Security.Cryptography.Oid}

(listed 6 times).

I can access the new encrypted files.

If i try press the [Back up keys] under the file, that is not accessible, i get following message box.

So it is seems the problem is related to the certificate.