Opening Encrypted Files

[jasonz0rz]

Hey guys,

I'm working with a lady who transferred Office docs (Excel and Word) from her internal HDD to an external HDD in preparation for a clean install. Unfortunately, when she attempts to transfer them back, she receives an "Access is Denied" error as the files were encrypted prior to the transfer.

Here are my notes so far. I'm going to call her back and review the steps we took so far as well as try for a single file - if anyone has any suggestions, they'd be greatly appreciated.


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She just spoke with Microsoft, they said that the files could not be opened normally due to being transferred, must use third-party program.

Following is seen when she attempts to open a file (transferred from old HDD to Flash drive and External HDD):

"Excel cannot open the file myaccounts.xlsx because the file format is not valid. Verify the file is not corrupted.."

When she tries to move the entire folder, she sees:

"Cannot copy *file name* access is denied. Make sure the disc is not full or write-protected and the file is not currently in use."

All her financial files are encrypted (taxes, checkbook, etc.).

Per forum (Cannot copy <file name> Access is Denied - Tech Support Guy Forums), MS KB 308421 looks like a viable solution.

How to take ownership of a file or a folder in Windows XP

Files are on external HDD.

Per KB 307874 (How to disable simple file sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP), booted into Safe Mode with Networking and disabled File Sharing:

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box.
5. Click OK.

Her External HDD is not being detected in Safe Mode with Networking, booted into Normal Mode.

Followed steps to take ownership of a folder, completed, now seeing:

"Excelt cannot access *file name* The document may be read-only or encrypted."

[GroundZero3]

What was used to encrypt the file? She will need to use the same software to decrypt the files

[jasonz0rz]

She's on XP Media Center and encrypted it by right-clicking the folder and going to Properties > Advanced > check Encrypt contents to secure data.

[jasonz0rz]

Most-recent [sloppy] notes - beyond that, I'm not sure what to do at this point other than recommend she recover her checkbook records from the bank:

Second error message in previous notes referred to the following:

"*file name* the file may be corrupted, located on a server that is not responding or is read-only."

went through the following steps for a single file:

Right-click the file that you want to take ownership of, and then click Properties.
Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).
Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
In the Name list, click HP Administrator, or click the Administrators group, and then click OK.

Still seeing same error as mentioned in previous comment.

Files were encrypted by going to Properties > Advanced > check Encrypt contents to secure data.

Two Profiles total:
Administrator (Hidden profile accessed via Safe Mode)
HP Admin (Debra's default profile)

Suggestions:

Go back through MS KB 308421 (How to take ownership of a file or a folder in Windows XP)
-Verify steps were done correctly
Create new Admin profile