Recover encrypted files from defunct Windows XP account

[Killer42]

Hi all.

Some months back, I had some Windows problems and ended up having to reinstall XP Pro on a new drive. Since then I have recovered most of my old files from the old drive, and deleted lots of stuff off it, including Windows.

However, having decided to format the old drive and use it for backups, I spent some time scouring it for anything I might have missed. I came across a couple of folders which I really don't want to lose, but they're encrypted. I know the user ID I was using when I created them, and given a few tries I expect I can come up with the password I was using at the time.

So, that's where I stand now. I have these old folders of files which were encrypted by a user account which no longer exists, and naturally, being a typical stupid user I never did set up any recovery agent or anything. So I need to find some way to decrypt them, if it's at all possible. I've spent some time searching and reading this morning, but haven't managed to come up with any way to decrypt these files.

I have physical access to the machine, and whatever rights I care to give myself, since it's my home PC. Um... can't remember the Administrator password, though. I might be able to get that from the guy at the computer shop who installed the new drive and put XP on it. And as mentioned, I know the user ID which created the files, and think I can guess the password (if that matters).

Does anyone know any way I can decrypt these old files?

[bartonc]

I don't know c**p about encrypted files, but some interesting point came out of this discussion.

[Killer42]

I don't know c**p about encrypted files, but some interesting point came out of this discussion.

Thanks, I already followed that link and did some investigation before posting. It was interesting, but didn't seem very useful for my situation. Of course, it's possible I missed something.

[wjnielsen]

I have the same problem, I think. A directory on my laptop was encrypted via WinXP Pro and consequently backed up as such on an external HDD. When I reloaded WinXP Pro I no longer could open the files. They do not show up in Windows Explorer, but I can see them with Total Commander. These files are quite high priority for me and being quite short sighted I did not have any retrieval disk made. I have logged in using the exact same username and password with no avail and have not had any luck with the above links. If anyone can help direct me so that I might retrieve this data, I would be grateful.