Member Avatar for follow33

Before 2 days i formated my PC and i saved my important files in CD , (the names of files where with green color) , now when i try to copy them to hard disk or to open them there is an error : " You need permissions to perform this action "
the problem is : i dont have permissions to copy or open the files.
My permissions are only to read.and there requests the User Certificate of window version before i formated it.!

Does anyone can help me how can i solve this problem because i have very important files :(:( .

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

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Green filenames plus the system asking for a "user certificate" strongly points to Windows EFS (Encrypting File System). EFS ties each file to a user certificate/private key, so if the original Windows profile (and its certificate) was removed during the format, the copies on the CD are the encrypted bytes — not recoverable by changing NTFS permissions or by "taking ownership." That explains why , despite being the author, sees the permission/certificate prompt.

Practical recovery checklist (best-to-worst case):

  • If an exported certificate exists (look for a .pfx or .p12 file): import it into the user Personal store (double-click the .pfx or run certmgr.msc -> Personal -> All Tasks -> Import). The .pfx must include the private key and the export password used when it was created.
  • If the old drive or old Windows installation still exists and is intact: boot that install or attach the disk and log into the original account, then use certmgr.msc (or MMC -> Certificates -> Current User -> Personal) to export the EFS certificate with its private key to a .pfx. Import that .pfx on the current system to decrypt the files.
  • If there is no exported certificate and the original profile/drive is gone/overwritten: the data on the CD is effectively unreadable. EFS uses public-key cryptography; without the private key decryption is not feasible. Third-party "password recovery" tools will not recover EFS-encrypted data.

Note on earlier replies: 's take-ownership advice helps when pure NTFS permission issues exist, but it will not decrypt EFS files. 's point about involving the person who had the permission is correct — access requires the original certificate/key holder.

Prevention note: always export EFS certificates (to a securely stored .pfx) before reinstalling or formatting, and keep an unencrypted backup of critical files. For very important lost data, a professional forensic/data-recovery service that can work from the original drive may be the only paid option worth considering.

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Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

get the person with the permission to do it for you!

Member Avatar for caperjack

get the person with the permission to do it for you!

I formated my PC and I saved my important files in CD,

I think I did it! lol

Member Avatar for follow33

Hey Bob.

I'm the author of those files , but now i dont have a permission to copy or rename the files even i cant open files.

I need to change atributtes of files.

Does any one know a software for changing attributes of files ???

I tried some but they doesnt work...

Member Avatar for caperjack

Hey Bob.

I'm the author of those files , but now i dont have a permission to copy or rename the files even i cant open files.

I need to change atributtes of files.

Does any one know a software for changing attributes of files ???

I tried some but they doesnt work...

did you try right click on the file or folders and take ownership

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
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