Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

By Rich on September 8, 2009 (17 Comments)

In previous guides, I showed you how to encrypt your files in Windows (XP) (Vista/7) In this guide, I’ll show you how to decrypt these files. You may need to decrypt your files in the following circumstances:

Moving files to a new computer
Reformatting your current machine and using your encrypted files on the new installation of Windows

Exporting Your Current Encryption Key

When you learned how to encrypt your files, you created an encryption key. To export your key for use on another computer or on a new installation of Windows, do the following:

Press Winkey+R to open the run dialogue (Start > Run), and type mmc
Click File > Add/Remove Snap in…
Select Certificates and click Add
Click My user account and click Finish. Click Close. Click OK.
At the console root, expand Certificates – Current User > Personal > Certificates. Now right click on your user name and click All Tasks > Export…
Unless you want to change them, keep the defaults and give your exported file a name.

Importing Your Backed Up Certificate

Press the Winkey+R to open the run dialogue, and type mmc

export import key01 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

At the console root, expand Certificates – Current User > Personal > Certificates. On a blank area in the right-hand pane right click and click All Tasks > Import… (If you do not see Certificates in the left-hand menu, follow steps 2-4 above)

export import key07 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

Click Next

export import key08 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

Locate your backed up file and click Next

export import key09 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

Type in the key’s password (set when you created it), and check Mark key as exportable if you would like the option to transfer it, again, in the future. Check Include all extended properties and click Next

export import key10 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

Choose to store the certificate in your personal store and click Next

export import key11 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

Click Finish

export import key12 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

You will be notified of the success of the import. You can now access your encrypted files again

export import key13 Decrypt Your Encrypted Files in Windows [How To]

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Venkat
Encryption files in hard drive may be not required for home users for business companies encryption does help
Venkat
Encryption files in hard drive may be not required for home users for business companies encryption does help
Venkat
Encryption files in hard drive may be not required for home users for business companies encryption does help
Mel
At my work encryption doesn’t just help – it is absolutely required!
Mel
At my work encryption doesn’t just help – it is absolutely required!
Mel
At my work encryption doesn’t just help – it is absolutely required!
Billy Vrahnos
Very nice,thanks!
Billy Vrahnos
Very nice,thanks!
Billy Vrahnos
Very nice,thanks!
http://richr.org/ Rich
Not that I know of, sorry.
Jhgkljg
Have you tried the CIPHER command in DOS? I believe you need the /D switch to decrypt the files. Good luck!
Aleksandr Lawati
thanks a lot :) i have a question :) what the lock icon means in User directory in windows 7
Budi
hello rich, i have situation, re-install my windows 7 without de-encrypt my encrypted files. when i try to access my files again, it doesnt work, eventhough i use my previous id. what should i do, cause i really need my files.
- Adirent_Diva
  I have the same problem.. somebody help me please
Devang
I had windows7 as my operating system in my laptop
then i had install ubuntu 10.10 in same drive(partition)
and my whole data in my otehr directories have been lost.
then i reinstall windows 7 in my laptop so i backup whole deleted partition data from pro recovery software but
i cant recover my Encrypted data or File.which had been encrypted in my E: drive(E:drive is encrypted by bit loker)
so pls give me suggestion how i can retrive my Encrypted data back

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