I somehow encrypted some files without meaning to, and because of it I can't backup my user folder to Mozy. Is there a way to remove the encryption from all the files or at least find out which one are encrypted?

I'm runnin windows 7 ultimate 64bits

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4 Answers

This may be an older question; but I recently had the same need.

My goal was to be comprehensive (search all files) and not require additional software, so it uses the command prompt and any text editor.

Here is what I found as a workable solution:

  • open a cmd prompt
  • Enter the command: cipher /s:c:\ > encryption.txt
  • Open the file "encryption.txt"
    • To find encrypted folders, search for "will be encrypted"
    • To find encrypted files, search for "E" at the beginning of a line

Without parameters, Cipher lists state of the current directory and all files in it. The /s parameter tells it to recurse, and c:\ gives it the starting point. From there, "> ..." just redirects the output.

Cipher's output for encrypted files and folders look like this:

 Listing c:\Dev\Encrypted\
 New files added to this directory will be encrypted.

E Default.aspx
E Default.aspx.cs
E Default.aspx.designer.cs

Cipher's output for normal files and folders look like this:

 Listing c:\Dev\Plaintext\
 New files added to this directory will not be encrypted.

U Default.aspx
U Default.aspx.cs
U Default.aspx.designer.cs

Hope that helps.

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+1 great answer - easily repeatable (CLI), no need to download any 3rd party apps and a persistent, searchable output – AdamRalph Mar 13 '11 at 17:05
Just tried this on Windows XP Pro, worked a treat, thanks. I used cipher /s:c:\ | find "E " not perfect, but worked for my use. – Christopher Galpin Nov 9 '11 at 2:21
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With Total Commander, you can do a search (ALT+F7) on various attributes of files and folders.

The "encrypted" attribute is one of them.

alt text

Once you have found all encrypted files and folders, select "Feed to listbox". It will put all names in the selected pane (left or right). There, you can select them all, right-click and select Properties. You'll get the Properties window for all the selected files. In the Advanced window, you can easily decrypt them by unchecking the "Encrypt..." checkbox.

alt text

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You can type: encryptionstatus:encrypted Into the search field in an explorer window.

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This might not the answer, I try to create an encrypted file. I dont know why in my Win7 the Encryption Status column does not show any value and so encryptionstatus:encrypted also simply shows nothing. answer from @Robert is the right way. found this file have 'E' at the begining of line. – CallMeLaNN Jun 13 '11 at 5:22
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You can use Windows Search Advanced Query. In search bar type: * is:encrypted. This command will find all encrypted files in folder.

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