[johnsoma]

Recently, I changed jobs. I had a laptop using Windows XP. The files I copied to a memory stick are fine. However... the files copied to an external drive are encrypted. When I right click, I can see my old login and a 40 digit code. The file size is in tact. Is it possible for me to add my home computer in the "add user." When I do this, I get the message, "The CA root certificate is not trusted" (for my home computer). "To enable trust, install this certificate in the Trusted Root Certification store." HELP ! ! ! Is this as simple as adding a CA root certificate and then removing the encryption? Your brilliance would be appreciated. These are small Excel and Word files in question.

[lunarlander]

When you right click the file, what did you choose to see the old login and 40 digit code? Did you opened it in notepad? Just curious.

Do you know what program did the encryption? Was it Windows' EFS?

What do you mean by add my home computer and add user? "

I don't think adding a certificate will help you decrypt a file.

[johnsoma]

I can see my old login by going to Properties
Advanced
Details and
Users who transparently can access - I see my old login and a 40 digit access code. Encryption would be whatever I used in Windows XP. My former employer is a major accounting firm.
Finally, if I could add myself as a USER, I could decrypt. However, it does not allow me to add my home computer when I am connected to the external hard drive because "The CA Root Cerficate is not Trusted because it is not in the Trusted Root Certification Store." Why couldn't I adjust for that so that I become ""Trusted""? What does it mean I have a private key that corresponds to the certificate. Keep in mind that I copied a directory to my memory stick without issue. Only the one to my external hard drive did it make a difference. Thanks - -

[DoubleHelix]

I highly doubt you'll be able to decrypt the files yourself. If you could, that would make the encryption scheme for the accounting firm pretty useless. You're either right on the edge or over on the legalities here. If you took these files without telling your former employer, you could certainly be sued and lose whatever licenses you have.

[johnsoma]

These files were personal photos and my resume - that is illegal? There are no files related to my employer - I don't get how that is illegal. I created a back-up of my personal files. I am just trying to get my vacation photos back. Does anyone know how to establish a Trusted Root Certificate? Thanks

[DoubleHelix]

The firm's computer likely had encryption enabled on the entire hard drive. When you copied your personal files to it, they became encrypted as well. You should have talked with the IT department before you left to get your personal files decrypted and copied off before you left. No one is going to help you break a company's encryption because we can't determine your intent.

A good rule to follow is to never store personal data on a company computer.

[johnsoma]

So bottom line - you don't understand how Root Certificates work or you don't know how to solve? I thought this forum was to explain how things work - not lecture about should have dones. Thanks anyway -

[johnsoma]

OK - I am formatting my external drive - thanks !

[johnsoma]

For all you brilliant programmers - I was able to get like 80% of my files un encrypted by unselecting the encryption box - not sure why this worked on most of the files and not others, but I have access to my old emails (*.pst) and other misc files (photos). Case closed - by a NON TECHIE !!!