Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10  

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10

    How to Decrypt Files and Folders Encrypted with EFS in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Security System
    10 Jan 2023
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Decrypt Files and Folders Encrypted with EFS in Windows 10


    The Encrypting File System (EFS) is the built-in encryption tool in Windows used to encrypt files and folders on NTFS drives to protect them from unwanted access. EFS enables transparent encryption and decryption of files for your user account by using advanced, standard cryptographic algorithms. Any individual or app that doesn't possess the appropriate file encryption key cannot open any encrypted files and folders. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your individual files and folders secure.

    This tutorial will show you how to decrypt your files and folders encrypted with Encrypting File System (EFS) in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

    If you get an unexpected error message like below while trying to decrypt a file or folder, it means that you will need to restore the file encryption key that you backed up for the file or folder before you will be able to decrypt it.
    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-decrypt_error-2.jpg Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-decrypt_error.jpg



    Contents







    OPTION ONE

    To Decrypt File or Folder in Context Menu


    If you decrypt a file using this option, only the file will be decrypted.

    If you decrypt a folder using this option, the folder, subfolders and files will be decrypted.


    1 Right click or press and hold on a file or folder you want to decrypt, click/tap on File ownership, and click/tap on Personal. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-file_ownership.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    To Decrypt Folder in Advanced Attributes


    1 Right click or press and hold on a folder you want to decrypt, and click/tap on Properties.

    2 In the General tab, click/tap on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder-1.jpg

    3 Uncheck the Encrypt contents to secure data box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder-2.jpg

    4 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder-3.jpg

    5 Select (dot) to either Apply changes to this folder only or Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder-4.jpg






    OPTION THREE

    To Decrypt File in Advanced Attributes


    1 Right click or press and hold on a file you want to decrypt, and click/tap on Properties.

    2 In the General tab, click/tap on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_file-1.jpg

    3 Check the Encrypt contents to secure data box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_file-2.jpg

    4 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_file-3.jpg






    OPTION FOUR

    To Decrypt Folder in Command Prompt


    To see more usage options for the Cipher command, see: Cipher - Microsoft Docs


    1 Open a command prompt.

    2 Type the command you want to use below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

    (Apply changes to this folder only)
    cipher /d "full path of folder"

    OR

    (Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files)
    cipher /d /s:"full path of folder"

    Substitute full path of folder in the commands above with the actual full path of the folder you want to decrypt.

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder-command.jpg
    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_folder_and_contents-command.jpg


    3 When finished, you can close the command prompt if you like.






    OPTION FIVE

    To Decrypt File in Command Prompt


    To see more usage options for the Cipher command, see: Cipher - Microsoft Docs


    1 Open a command prompt.

    2 Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    cipher /d "full path of file with extension"

    Substitute full path of file with extension in the command above with the actual full path of the file you want to decrypt.

    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10-efs_file-command.jpg


    3 When finished, you can close the command prompt if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn


    Related Tutorials



  1. Windows 11 Tutorials



  2. Yasak Hayat
    Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       New #1

    For option one no download link?
    "File ownership/Personal" not a built in context menu element isn't it?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Brink
    Posts : 72,805
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    Hello Yasak, :)

    The "File ownership" context menu would only be available if the file has already been encrypted with EFS.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  5. Yasak Hayat
    Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       New #3

    I see.
    So is there any way to apply this to W10: Encrypt and Decrypt - Add to Context Menu - Windows 7 Help Forums
    Brink said:
    Hello Yasak, :)

    The "File ownership" context menu would only be available if the file has already been encrypted with EFS.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. Brink
    Posts : 72,805
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    You may be able to use it in Windows 10 as well if you like, but I haven't tested it yet in W10.
    Last edited by Brink; 24 Jun 2017 at 10:33.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  7. Yasak Hayat
    Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       New #5

    Sory but it's not working on Windows 10.
    When merge regedit file nothing happen. Doesn't appear Decrypt/Encrypt option?

    Edit: Tried (W10)14393.1358 and 15063.413
    (Also tried W7 and W8.1 and it's working)
    Brink said:
    Yes, that can be used in Windows 10 as well if you like.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. Brink
    Posts : 72,805
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    I'll add to my list then to see what I can do for it. I'll post back when it's ready if able. :)
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  9. Yasak Hayat
    Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       New #7

    thank you :)
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. TairikuOkami
    Posts : 5,492
    Windows 11 Home
       New #8

    Command:
    Code:
    fsutil behavior set disableencryption 1
    Disabling EFS does not decrypt files, a user might want to decrypt them to be able to access them after reinstall.
    Code:
    cipher /d /s:C:\
    Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10 Security System Tutorials
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  12. rajlaxmanphysio
    Posts : 3
    Window 10
       New #9

    I too face the same problem when I formated my c drive and installed new copy of window 10 ,it made me un assessable some of my files which I had encrypted earlier
    I tried all of these 4 option but none of them worked.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

Tutorial Categories

Decrypt Files and Folders with EFS in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


  Related Discussions
Decrypt EFS Files in New Windows 10 System
in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security

Hello Everybody, I know this is a long shot but it is my final attempt. I'll try to be brief: I previously ran my Windows 10 on a laptop with HDD. During that time, I encrypted some files using EFS. Then, I decided to switch over to a SSD. I...
Hi, I was doing a backup of a hard drive and to my surprise there were +-400 files that could not be copied because they are encrypted!? The thing is...I never did that so first, how could that have happened and second, how can I decrypt them? ...
Decrypt .Nusar files ?
in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security

Hello, I have got infected by Nusar virus, and all my files are crypted now, I removed the virus by Kaspersky, but I couldn't decrypt the files, please help me !
Just when you thought ransomware couldn't get any nastier :shock: New ransomware lets you decrypt your files — by infecting other users | ZDNet
Initiative wants to help ransomware victims decrypt their files
in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security

Remember folks, having a backup/system image is still the best defense you can have for this kind of attack. System Image - Create in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums This initiative wants to help ransomware victims decrypt their files for free...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 20:44.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums