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How to rollback a Masterkey 2FA key file creation ?

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Benoit
2023-09-18
2023-09-18
  • Benoit

    Benoit - 2023-09-18

    Hi !

    I created a second authentication key file and I lost access to my database. When opening it I have now this error message :

    ° Failed to load the specified file!
    ° The master key is invalid!
    ° Make sure that the master key is correct and try it again.

    How can I rollback to regain access ?

    Here are what I did :

    1- I updated KP with the latest version : downloaded the portable v 2.54 and copied the content in the KP app. folder and overwrote its content.
    2- I opened my database and modified the options in order to be able to change the Masterkey (2 checkboxes).
    3- Restarted KP.
    4- File | Change my Masterkey
    5- I created a second Key File on my USB key [USB]\pswd.keyx after having entered my actual password (twice) because I thought it was mandatory for the procedure (hope I haven't made a mistake there but since the two matched, I figured I haven't made one).
    6- I closed and opened KP leaving my USB key put and... Failure to load the specific file !!!

    I have backups of my installation KP folder dating from 2017 and a backup of my database (2016) and tried to open it and... KP now refuses my pswrd ! Why ? I don't think having changed my password since that time.

    My old database.Kdbx is 7yo and have been created by an older KP version evidently.

    My pwd.key remains unchanged (2013). I guess this is my Master password !

    My pwd.keyx AND my db.kdbx have been created and modified an hour ago.

    I guess the 2FA is hard coded in the db.kdbx file. Can it be edited in order to reverse the 2FA asking ?

     

    Last edit: Benoit 2023-09-18
  • Paul

    Paul - 2023-09-18

    If you cannot open a backup it is because you have not entered the correct master key. This could include a password and key file, but you must remember what it was.
    It may be worth restoring the KeePass installation / configuration file - KeePass remembers the credential arrangement for you.

    KeePass does not have 2FA for the database. If you use a password and key file they are combined to produce one master key.

    A key file is not a master password. It is (part of) the master key.

    You should always test your backup of KeePass. Details are in the Backup Wiki.

    cheers, Paul

     

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