J
JDizzlle_Daddy
Cannot Access Encrypted Files After Successfully Importing Encrypting File System (EFS) Certificate
I encrypted a folder and its contents on my Windows 10 system. I then successfully backed-up (export) my EFS certificate to a thumb drive and successfully imported the EFS certificate to a Windows 7 system. I confirmed the EFS certificate did in fact install on the Windows 7 system and is located in my Personal | Certificates folder.
However, when I attempt to test the certificate by coping several of the encrypted files from my Windows 10 system to a USB drive and then attempting to open the files on my Windows 7 system, the file will not open. Windows as added a .PFILE file extension to each of the documents. It's my understanding the .PFILE indicates a protected file; which would be correct.
I can open the files on the USB drive without any issues on my Windows 10 system. So, I'm confused why I can't open them on my Windows 7 system since I received successful confirmations on my both the export and import of the EFS certificate.
Any suggestions?
I reposted this question as it was asked 3 years ago and MS never answered the question.
To assist you better, please share the information:
Here's the information you requested.
(1) I receive a message that Windows cannot open the file. The file name appears (e.g., TestDocument.docx.PFILE). Because the .PFILE is added, it's wants to know what program I want to use to open .PFILE files. I have two options (1) search the internet (2) select an installed program. As an example the file name TestDocument.docx appears as TestDocument.docs.PFILE on both Windows 7 systems.
(2) It occurs on all files. I tested Adobe Acrobat Document (.pdf), Text (txt), MS Excel (xlsx), MS Word (docx), MS PowerPoint (pptx), and Photo (jpg) files. In each case, when I open File Explore on the Windows 7 systems, I see the file name, file extension and .PFILE (e.g., TestDocument.pdf.PFILE). If I move the files back to the Windows 10 system, I see the file name and file extension (e.g., TestDocument.pdf); they open without an issues.
(3) Windows 7 Professional (32-bit). One has SP1, the other SP2. The Windows 10 systems in a 64-bit OS. I wonder if that could make a difference. I don't have any issues using the same files on any of the three systems as long as they are are not encrypted.
Note: I added a new user to my Windows 10 system and tried to open the EFS files. I received an error message: "There was an error opening this document: Access Denied". That's what I expected, I then imported the EFS certificate to the new user's profile and opened the files without any issues. This is exactly what I'm trying to do on my Windows 7 systems, but I can't the process to work on the EFS files.
Thank you
Please get back to us with the requested information and we'll be glad to assist you.
Hi,
We would like to know more about your concern.
1. Is it happening to all your files?
2. What have you done so far to resolve the issue?
Thank you.
______________________________________
1. It is only happening to some files.
2. Nothing works and MS never suggested anything for the past 3 years. I tried Azure because that is the only MS product that supposedly opens these files but it does not.
***Moved from Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage***
Continue reading...
I encrypted a folder and its contents on my Windows 10 system. I then successfully backed-up (export) my EFS certificate to a thumb drive and successfully imported the EFS certificate to a Windows 7 system. I confirmed the EFS certificate did in fact install on the Windows 7 system and is located in my Personal | Certificates folder.
However, when I attempt to test the certificate by coping several of the encrypted files from my Windows 10 system to a USB drive and then attempting to open the files on my Windows 7 system, the file will not open. Windows as added a .PFILE file extension to each of the documents. It's my understanding the .PFILE indicates a protected file; which would be correct.
I can open the files on the USB drive without any issues on my Windows 10 system. So, I'm confused why I can't open them on my Windows 7 system since I received successful confirmations on my both the export and import of the EFS certificate.
Any suggestions?
I reposted this question as it was asked 3 years ago and MS never answered the question.
To assist you better, please share the information:
- Do you get any error message?
- Is the issue particular to all files?
- Which version of Windows 7 Operating System is installed?
Here's the information you requested.
(1) I receive a message that Windows cannot open the file. The file name appears (e.g., TestDocument.docx.PFILE). Because the .PFILE is added, it's wants to know what program I want to use to open .PFILE files. I have two options (1) search the internet (2) select an installed program. As an example the file name TestDocument.docx appears as TestDocument.docs.PFILE on both Windows 7 systems.
(2) It occurs on all files. I tested Adobe Acrobat Document (.pdf), Text (txt), MS Excel (xlsx), MS Word (docx), MS PowerPoint (pptx), and Photo (jpg) files. In each case, when I open File Explore on the Windows 7 systems, I see the file name, file extension and .PFILE (e.g., TestDocument.pdf.PFILE). If I move the files back to the Windows 10 system, I see the file name and file extension (e.g., TestDocument.pdf); they open without an issues.
(3) Windows 7 Professional (32-bit). One has SP1, the other SP2. The Windows 10 systems in a 64-bit OS. I wonder if that could make a difference. I don't have any issues using the same files on any of the three systems as long as they are are not encrypted.
Note: I added a new user to my Windows 10 system and tried to open the EFS files. I received an error message: "There was an error opening this document: Access Denied". That's what I expected, I then imported the EFS certificate to the new user's profile and opened the files without any issues. This is exactly what I'm trying to do on my Windows 7 systems, but I can't the process to work on the EFS files.
Thank you
Please get back to us with the requested information and we'll be glad to assist you.
Hi,
We would like to know more about your concern.
1. Is it happening to all your files?
2. What have you done so far to resolve the issue?
Thank you.
______________________________________
1. It is only happening to some files.
2. Nothing works and MS never suggested anything for the past 3 years. I tried Azure because that is the only MS product that supposedly opens these files but it does not.
***Moved from Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage***
Continue reading...