How to decrypt EFS encrypted files and folders in Windows 10

This article is about how to decrypt EFS encrypted files and folders in Windows 10. I think it is very practical, so I share it with you. I hope you can get something after reading this article. Let's take a look at it.

EFS or encrypted file system is a component of legendary NTFS (new technology file system). It is suitable for Windows 2000 Magi Windows XP Professional (non-Home Basic), Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft update operating system iterations. It uses advanced and complex encryption algorithms to achieve transparent encryption and decryption of files. People who do not have the correct encryption key cannot read the encrypted data. Therefore, this gives us the advantage that even if the data is actually owned by someone, if they are not authorized, they will not have a key and they will not be able to read the data.

We have seen how to use EFS encryption to encrypt files. Now, let's look at how to decrypt files encrypted with EFS.

Decrypt EFS encrypted files and folders in Windows

We will look at two ways to perform this task.

1: use advanced file properties in file properties

First, right-click the encrypted file first. Then select the attribute.

Now, after the Properties window opens, click the button named Advanced in the Properties section.

Another window named Advanced Attributes will now open. Among them, there will be some compressed or encrypted attributes. Uncheck the encrypt content to protect data option.

Now, click OK. It will now ask you if you want to make the requested changes only to folders or folders, subfolders, and files. Make a choice, and then click OK.

Click Apply, and then click OK.

2: use the password command line

First press the WINKEY + X button or right-click the start button, then click the command prompt (administrator) or search for cmd in the Cortana search box, right-click the command prompt icon, and then click run as administrator.

Now, enter the following command

For decryption of a file: cipher / d ""

If you try to decrypt a file instead of a folder, you need to include the file and its extension, but if it is a folder, the folder name will be intact.

For example, if you want to decrypt a file stored in DVR / Test, called Sample.txt, you must use the following command

Cipher / d "D:/Test/Sample.txt"

If you want to decrypt the folder stored in DRV /, called Test, you must use this command

Cipher / d "D:/Test"

Exit and restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

The above is how to decrypt EFS encrypted files and folders in Windows 10. The editor believes that there are some knowledge points that we may see or use in our daily work. I hope you can learn more from this article. For more details, please follow the industry information channel.