Hello! I need tech help please! A couple of weeks ago I made my worst misstake in my life. I encrypted some pictures and files with Microsofts own EFS Encryption. Just a few days after my hdd failed and I had to reinstall my Win 7 pro. Dumb as I am I forgot to decrypt my files before reinstalling Windows. Is there any possible way that I can get my files and pictures back? Some of the pics is from my birthplace in India, so I REALLY REALLY want them back:( Please help me / Mike

Rafael, Is your machine a member of a domain? Did you configure some Data Recovery Agents (DRA)? Whitout the EFS encryption key it is not possible to decrypt the encrypted files. However you can use this 3rd party software to recovery the key (if possible). http://www.elcomsoft.com/aefsdr.html Kind Regards DFT IM me - TWiTTer: @DFTER

Rafael, in future, always backup your keys not just with EFS but with any encryption product. that, said without the keys, unless your on a domain with a ERA set your pretty screwed, like the poster said above 3rd party software and or recovery help you and it may not. but odds are you still may need the password for the local admin account. -Nex6

Hi, As Daft and Nex6 were mentioned, the encrypted file will not be decrypt without the Recovery Key. Thus, please check whether you have saved the key on the machine. If not, I’m afraid that the encrypted file will not be accessed except using some third party tools. Regards, Novak