Re: Windows private folder option decryption

[GuidoZ <uberguidoz () gmail com>]

> [snip]
> Does anyone know of any tools and/or procedures that I could use to get
> around this, either by decrypting the files via knoppix or by any other means.
> [snip]

I've run into this a handful of times myself. Assuming he knows the
password used to secure these folders, the best solution I've used is
to put the clients hard drive on another system running WinXP:

1. Install client HDD into 2nd system with WinXP
2. Boot second system; check that HDD is recognized
3. Create a new user using the user/pass of the client with private folders
4. Logout/Login using that new account (be sure it's an admin)

You should now be able to access the private folders and simply
drag-n-drop for recovery, burn to CD, whatever. This has worked for me
numerous times. Note that this only works when they have selected
"Make my folders/profile private" and NOT if EFS has been used. Best
of luck and HTH.

--
Peace. ~G


On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 12:01:16 -0800, Jon Lawhead <samurai () berkeley edu> wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> I work as a tech, and I have a problem that I haven't encountered before, and am looking for
> ideas.  I have a client who attempted to upgrade the drivers for his graphics card, but somehow
> botched it and now his computer won't boot into windows.  I would generally fix the problem by
> booting into Knoppix, but he's encrypted all his files using the Windows private folder option in
> XP, so that doesn't work.  Does anyone know of any tools and/or procedures that I could use to get
> around this, either by decrypting the files via knoppix or by any other means.  If I can't find
> anything, I'm going to be forced to tell him to just reformat, which I don't want to do.  Thanks
> for your help!
>
>
> Jon Lawhead
> UC Berkeley SINE/ResComp