Fix Error 6002 (0x80071772) File Encrypted

Method 1: Import Backed-Up EFS Certificate (If Available)

If you previously exported EFS certificate, importing restores decryption ability. Primary recovery method.

1. Locate Your Certificate Backup File:
2. EFS certificate exports saved as .PFX or .P12 files
3. Common backup locations:
   • External USB drives
   • Network shares or NAS
   • Cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive)
   • Email attachments to yourself
   • Old computer backups
4. File typically named: "certificate.pfx" or "[username]_EFS_certificate.pfx"
5. Import Certificate:
6. Double-click the .PFX file
7. Certificate Import Wizard opens
8. Store Location: Select Current User
9. Click Next
10. File to Import: Shows your .PFX file path
11. Click Next
12. Enter Certificate Password:
    • Password you set when exporting certificate
    • If you forgot password: certificate cannot be imported (encryption security)
13. Check "Mark this key as exportable" (for future backups)
14. Check "Include all extended properties"
15. Click Next
16. Certificate Store: Select "Automatically select the certificate store"
17. Click Next → Finish
18. "The import was successful" message appears
19. Verify Certificate Imported:
20. Press Windows + R, type certmgr.msc, press Enter
21. Expand Personal → Certificates
22. Look for certificate with "Encrypting File System" in Intended Purposes column
23. Close Certificate Manager
24. Test Encrypted File Access:
25. Navigate to encrypted file (green filename)
26. Try opening file
27. If import successful: file opens normally

Method 2: Recover Certificate from Windows.old Folder

After Windows upgrade, old certificates may exist in Windows.old. Extracting restores access.

1. Check if Windows.old Exists:
2. Open File Explorer → C: drive
3. Look for Windows.old folder
4. If not present: Skip to next method
5. Navigate to Old Certificate Store:
6. Path: C:\Windows.old\Users\[YourOldUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\Certificates
7. If "AppData" folder not visible:
   • File Explorer → View tab
   • Check Hidden items
8. Copy Certificate Files:
9. In Certificates folder: Copy ALL files (usually binary files with long hexadecimal names)
10. Paste to Current User Certificate Store:
11. Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourCurrentUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\Certificates
12. Paste copied certificate files
13. If prompted about overwriting: Click Yes to all
14. Also Copy Crypto Keys:
15. Old keys location: C:\Windows.old\Users\[OldUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\[SID]
16. Copy all files from this folder
17. Current keys location: C:\Users\[CurrentUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\[YourSID]
18. Paste copied key files
19. Restart Computer
20. After restart: Try accessing encrypted files

Method 3: Use EFS Recovery Agent (Domain Environments)

In corporate domains, administrators configure recovery agents. Recovery agent can decrypt any user's files.

1. Check if Recovery Agent Configured:
2. Right-click encrypted file → Properties
3. Click Advanced button
4. Click Details button
5. Encryption Details window shows:
   • "Users who can access this file" (original user)
   • "Recovery certificates for this file" (recovery agents if configured)
6. If recovery agents listed: Recovery possible
7. If no recovery agents: Skip to next method
8. Contact Domain Administrator:
9. Recovery agent is typically:
   • Domain Administrator account
   • Designated IT security officer
   • Backup recovery account
10. Request file recovery assistance
11. Administrator Recovery Process:
12. Admin logs in with recovery agent account
13. Admin can access encrypted file using recovery certificate
14. Admin decrypts file:
    • Right-click file → Properties → Advanced
    • Uncheck "Encrypt contents to secure data"
    • Click OK → Apply
15. File now decrypted, accessible to all authorized users

Method 4: Repair Corrupted User Profile

Profile corruption prevents certificate access. Repairing profile may restore certificates.

1. Create New Administrator Account:
2. Settings → Accounts → Family & other users
3. Click Add someone else to this PC
4. Create local account
5. After creation: Click account → Change account type
6. Select Administrator → OK
7. Sign Out and Sign Into New Account
8. Copy Certificate Store from Old Profile:
9. Navigate to: C:\Users\[OldUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SystemCertificates
10. Copy entire SystemCertificates folder
11. Navigate to: C:\Users\[NewUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\
12. Paste SystemCertificates folder (overwrite if prompted)
13. Copy Crypto Keys:
14. Old profile: C:\Users\[OldUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto
15. Copy entire Crypto folder
16. New profile: C:\Users\[NewUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\
17. Paste Crypto folder
18. Take Ownership of Encrypted Files:
19. Right-click encrypted file → Properties
20. Security tab → Advanced
21. Click Change next to Owner
22. Enter new username → Check Names → OK
23. Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects"
24. Click Apply → OK
25. Restart computer
26. Sign into new account
27. Try accessing encrypted files

Method 5: Use Cipher Command to Check EFS Status

Cipher.exe shows detailed EFS information and can attempt recovery operations.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Check if You Have EFS Certificate:
   cipher /x:C:\EFS_Certificate_Backup.cer
3. If successful: Creates certificate backup file
4. If error "No user certificate could be found": You don't have EFS certificate
5. Display EFS Information for Specific File:
   cipher /c "C:\path\to\encrypted\file.docx"
6. Shows:
   • Users who can decrypt file
   • Recovery agents configured
   • Certificate thumbprints
7. List All Encrypted Files on Drive:
   cipher /u /n /h
8. Scans entire C: drive
9. Lists all encrypted files
10. Shows which files you can/cannot access
11. Attempt to Update Encrypted Files:
    cipher /u /n
12. Attempts to update all encrypted files with current certificate
13. May resolve issues where files encrypted with old certificate version
14. Check Certificate Validity:
15. Press Windows + R, type certmgr.msc
16. Personal → Certificates
17. Find EFS certificate
18. Double-click → Check "Valid from" and "Valid to" dates
19. If expired: Certificate cannot decrypt files (rare but possible)

Method 6: Restore System to Earlier Point (If Recent Issue)

If encryption error appeared recently, System Restore may revert certificate changes.

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, press Enter
2. System Restore wizard opens
3. Click Next
4. Check "Show more restore points"
5. Select Restore Point:
   • Choose date BEFORE encrypted files became inaccessible
   • Ideally within last 7-14 days
   • Look for restore point created before Windows updates or system changes
6. Click Next
7. Confirm Restore Point:
8. Review affected programs and drivers
9. Click Finish
10. Confirmation: "Once started, System Restore cannot be interrupted"
11. Click Yes
12. System Restore Process:
    • Computer restarts
    • "Please wait while your Windows files and settings are being restored"
    • Takes 15-45 minutes
    • Computer restarts again
13. After completion: "System Restore completed successfully"
14. Try accessing encrypted files
15. If Still Not Working: Certificates were lost before oldest restore point

Method 7: Use Advanced EFS Recovery Tools

Third-party tools can attempt certificate reconstruction or brute-force recovery (limited success).

1. ⚠️ WARNING: Success rate low without original certificate—manage expectations
2. Reputable EFS Recovery Tools:
   • Advanced EFS Data Recovery (ElcomSoft) - Commercial, most effective
   • EFS Data Recovery (Passware) - Professional tool
   • M3 Data Recovery - Has EFS recovery module
3. What These Tools Can Do:
   • Search entire disk for certificate remnants
   • Attempt to reconstruct certificates from fragments
   • Try known certificate locations (hibernation file, page file, memory dumps)
   • Brute-force weak EFS implementations (very rare success)
4. What They CANNOT Do:
   • Decrypt files without certificate (mathematically impossible)
   • Break modern EFS encryption (uses AES-256)
   • Recover certificates completely deleted from disk
5. Using Advanced EFS Data Recovery (Example):
6. Download and install tool
7. Run as Administrator
8. Select "Search for EFS certificates"
9. Choose drives to scan (include old system drives if available)
10. Start scan (takes 1-6 hours for full drive)
11. If certificates found: Tool attempts to import them
12. Try accessing encrypted files
13. Success Rate: ~30% if certificate remnants exist on disk, 0% if certificate completely gone

Method 8: Accept Data Loss and Prevent Future Issues

If all methods fail, files are cryptographically unrecoverable. Focus on prevention.

1. Understanding Unrecoverable Scenarios:
2. Files CANNOT be recovered if:
   • Certificate never backed up before Windows reinstall
   • Certificate backup lost and no copies exist
   • Certificate password forgotten (even with backup file)
   • Original user account deleted and certificate not exported
   • Hard drive with certificate completely failed/destroyed
3. EFS encryption is STRONG—no backdoors or recovery without certificate
4. Alternative Data Sources:
   • Check cloud backups (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox)
   • Look for email attachments of important documents
   • Check old USB drives or external backups
   • Contact colleagues if work files (they may have copies)
5. Prevent Future EFS Lockouts:
6. 1. Export EFS Certificate NOW:
   • Press Windows + R, type certmgr.msc
   • Personal → Certificates
   • Find certificate with "Encrypting File System" purpose
   • Right-click → All Tasks → Export
   • Export wizard: Select "Yes, export the private key"
   • Format: Personal Information Exchange (.PFX)
   • Check "Include all certificates in the certification path"
   • Set STRONG password (write it down securely)
   • Save to multiple locations:
     • External USB drive
     • Cloud storage
     • Network share
7. 2. Consider Alternative Encryption:
   • BitLocker (encrypts entire drive, easier recovery)
   • VeraCrypt (open-source, portable encryption)
   • 7-Zip with AES-256 encryption (for individual files)
8. 3. Regular Certificate Backups: Export certificate every 6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I decrypt EFS-encrypted files without the original certificate? Is there a backdoor?

A: No backdoor exists—by design for security. EFS uses public-key cryptography (RSA-2048 or higher) with AES-256 symmetric encryption. How EFS works: (1) File encrypted with random File Encryption Key (FEK) using AES-256, (2) FEK encrypted with user's public key from certificate, (3) Encrypted FEK stored in file metadata. Decryption requires: User's private key (from certificate) to decrypt FEK, then FEK decrypts actual file. Without certificate: Cannot decrypt FEK, cannot access file—mathematically impossible with current technology (would take billions of years to brute-force RSA-2048). No backdoors: Microsoft doesn't have master key, NSA doesn't have backdoor (EFS predates backdoor controversies), no recovery possible without certificate or configured recovery agent. This is intentional: Strong encryption means if YOU lose key, even YOU cannot recover data—security vs convenience tradeoff. Only recovery paths: Certificate backup you created, recovery agent configured by domain admin, or certificate remnants found on disk by specialized tools (low success rate). If none available: files permanently unrecoverable—accept data loss.

Q: I have the certificate backup file (.PFX) but forgot the password. Can I recover it?

A: Extremely difficult—password protects the private key. .PFX file contains your private key encrypted with password you set during export. Password recovery options (limited success): (1) Try common passwords: Your usual passwords, Windows login password, variations with numbers/symbols. (2) Password hint if you set one: Some certificate export wizards allow password hints—check if you documented hint anywhere. (3) Brute-force tools: Software like "PFX Password Recovery" (Passware) or "Advanced Archive Password Recovery" can attempt brute-force—success depends on password complexity. Simple passwords (8 characters, dictionary words) crackable in hours/days. Complex passwords (12+ characters, random) take years/centuries. (4) Dictionary attacks: If you used meaningful password (pet name, birth date, favorite word), dictionary attacks may succeed. Reality check: If you set strong random password and truly forgot it, .PFX file is useless—private key encrypted with password as strong as EFS encryption itself. Prevention: When exporting certificates, use password manager to store password immediately, or write password on physical paper stored in safe location. Alternative if you have access to original computer: If certificate still installed on original computer (before reinstall), export it again with NEW password you'll remember—don't rely on old forgotten-password backup.

Q: Why are my file names green in Windows Explorer? What does this indicate?

A: Green filename = EFS-encrypted file. Windows uses color-coding in File Explorer to indicate file attributes: (1) Black text: Normal unencrypted file, (2) Green text: EFS-encrypted file, (3) Blue text: NTFS-compressed file. Green files mean: File encrypted using Encrypting File System, only accessible to user who encrypted it (and configured recovery agents), requires encryption certificate to open, protected even if someone steals hard drive. How files become encrypted: User right-clicked file/folder → Properties → Advanced → checked "Encrypt contents to secure data" → OK. Or: Saved file into folder with encryption enabled (encryption inherits to new files). Implications: (1) Good: Files protected from unauthorized access—even administrators can't read without your certificate. (2) Bad: If you lose certificate (Windows reinstall, profile corruption), YOU also cannot access files—leads to error 0x80071772. Check your own encryption status: If you see green filenames and don't remember encrypting files, check: Right-click file → Properties → Advanced → if "Encrypt contents to secure data" is checked, file is encrypted. Recommendation: If you see green files and don't need encryption, decrypt them immediately: Uncheck "Encrypt contents", then export certificate as backup before any system changes.

Q: I'm a system administrator. Employee left company and their encrypted files are inaccessible. How to recover?

A: Recovery depends on whether recovery agent was configured. (1) If EFS recovery agent configured (best case): Check Group Policy: Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Public Key Policies → Encrypting File System. If recovery agent certificate configured, domain administrator with recovery agent certificate can decrypt files: Log in as recovery agent account, access encrypted files (will decrypt automatically), remove encryption: Right-click → Properties → Advanced → uncheck "Encrypt contents" → OK. (2) If NO recovery agent (common problem): Files likely unrecoverable unless: (a) Employee's certificate backed up to network location (check certificate backup folders), (b) Employee's old computer still exists with certificate intact—export certificate from old machine: certmgr.msc → Personal → Certificates → Export as .PFX, import on new system, (c) Employee's roaming profile backed up—extract certificate from profile backup. (3) Legal/HR considerations: Depending on jurisdiction and employment contract, you may need legal authorization to access employee's encrypted personal files—consult legal before attempting recovery. (4) Prevention for future: Implement mandatory EFS recovery agent via Group Policy BEFORE employees encrypt files, require certificate escrow (employees must submit certificate backup to IT during onboarding), or prohibit EFS entirely via Group Policy, mandate BitLocker instead (centrally managed recovery keys). (5) Alternative: Contact employee (if on good terms) and request certificate export—they may still have it on personal devices.

Q: Can I use EFS and BitLocker together? Which encryption should I use?

A: Yes, can use both but usually redundant—choose based on needs. EFS vs BitLocker comparison: (1) EFS (Encrypting File System): File/folder level encryption, user-specific (each user has own certificate), protects individual files even if computer stolen, high risk of lockout if certificate lost, no recovery key (only recovery agent), best for: multi-user computers where users want private files other users can't access, selective encryption of sensitive documents. (2) BitLocker: Full disk encryption, computer-specific (not user-specific), protects entire drive if stolen, recovery key available (stored in Microsoft account or printed), low lockout risk, best for: laptops (theft protection), single-user computers, enterprise environments with centralized key management. Using both together: Technically possible—BitLocker encrypts drive, EFS encrypts specific files within encrypted drive. Provides defense-in-depth: BitLocker protects against physical theft, EFS protects against other users on same computer. Downsides of combining: Performance impact (double encryption overhead), complexity (two encryption systems to manage), higher lockout risk (if either key lost, data inaccessible). Recommendation for most users: Use BitLocker only—simpler, safer, recovery key available, sufficient for most threat models. Use EFS only if: Multiple users share computer and need individual file privacy, or specific compliance requirements mandate file-level encryption. Never use EFS without: Immediate certificate backup, documented recovery procedure, understanding of lockout risks.