Decrypting\Regaining access to encrypted files from old PC?

Question

Hi,

I have some files from my old PC on my secondary HDD that are encrypted by Windows 10. I formatted my primary SSD and my secondary HDD moved to another PC. Now I lost access to those files.

Is there any way of regaining access to them or decrypting them?

Answer 1

Hi Hasib,

My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you.

Do you have a backup copy of your old system or exported encryption certificate?

If not, I'm very sorry but your data are lost unfortunately.

You may try to use third party tools in attempts to decrypt your files, e.g. Advanced EFS Data Recovery tool, but chances are low.

However, you may keep your files as is, hoping that 20-30 years later an increasing CPU power will allow to crack this encrypting.

I sympathize with you, but this is the purpose of encrypting - to block data access without keys.

Answer 2

Thank you for your help.