Can't decrypt my own files after formatting
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Note: Windows 10 Pro x64
I had a folder with sensitive .txt files that was hidden and encrypted with veracrypt AES-256, using a very long password. After formatting, I can mount the volume using the file that veracrypt generates (the container where the folder is located) and the password that I set when I created the container, the volume appears and I can access it but whenever I try to open a file, it says: "You do not have permission to open this file. See the owner of the file or an administrator to obtain permission."
The OS is installed on a SSD and the veracrypt container with my folder was on another disk (a HDD).
Here is an information that I think its very important, but I don't know what to do with it:
When I go into Properties>General>Advanced>Details (under "Compress or Encrypt attributes") I see the following:
The computer name in there is exactly the name of my computer BEFORE formatting. It changed after formatting. What does that mean? Only my previous installation (when the computer name was "DESKTOP-SAI1J26") can open the files? What can I do to have access to my files again?
Last edit: Marlon Aviz 2017-10-09
Are you saying you reinstalled the OS?
Yes, I formatted my computer. Reinstalled Windows 10.
This is going to be a Microsoft ownership and/or permission issue likely due to the user ID number (SID) is different than the old user ID number the previous Windows OS was using for your user name.
Google search taking ownership of a file for Microsoft. Make sure to take ownership of the file container when dismounted and when mounted.
You may need to take ownership of the files.
Another approach is to create a new file container, mount both the new and old file container in order to copy the files to the new mounted file container.
I did take ownership of the file. I used this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-take-ownership-files-and-folders-windows-10
It doesn't work. I tried setting the ownership to my local user account and also to "Everyone". I still can't read/copy/write the files inside this VeraCrypt container.
Is there a way I can get this "Certificate Thumbprint" back from the previous Windows installation? It looks like it the EFS looks for a certificate associated with the user and domain/computer to grant access to the files.
Or is there a way I can emulate this "Certificate Thumbprint"?
Looks like I can add a recovery agent or recovery certificate, something along those lines. Is there something I can do with that to recover my files?
I'm desperate, I don't have any backup of these sensitive files as I didn't expect something like this to happen.
Last edit: Marlon Aviz 2017-10-20
You would get better advice by posting your questions on the Microsoft forum for assistance in trying to get access to your files.
Ok, I'll try that.
Thanks.
They just answered me and they say that if I didn't backup the security certificate, there is nothing I can do. I can try to ask for help from a technician.
That wasn't really helpful, I was expecting a set of instructions I could follow to recover my files.