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Using Windows Explorer under XP I see some of my files have green filenames. When I try and copy one of these files I get an error reporting Access denied. The My pictures folder also appears with green text and I have a large number of photos from family holidays I don't want to loose.

I need to backup these files as I'm changing laptop soon.

We use SafeBoot to encryt our hard drives but I don't think this is the problem as it allows me to copy other files to removable media with no problems.

Has anybody come across this before and how can I resolve this?

Green filename

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3 Answers

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Your files are probably encrypted.
Reference: Using File Encryption.

TechNet reference -- Encrypting File System in Windows XP

Because of the unique nature of encrypted files, different results can occur when moving or copying encrypted files between locations. For example, when copying an encrypted file from a local machine to a server on the network, different results of the copy operation will occur depending on the operating system being used on the server. In general, copying a file will inherit the EFS properties of the target, but a move operation will not inherit the EFS properties of the target folder.

The "access denied" error message is returned to applications from the NTFS file system in order to ensure compatibility with existing applications. The use of an alternate or more descriptive error message would cause many applications to fail or behave erratically.

The Windows XP Professional client contains some enhancements in the area of copying encrypted files. Both the shell interface and the command-line now support an option to allow or disallow file decryption. When an encrypted file is copied to a target location that does not allow remote encryption, the user will be prompted with a dialog box that allows a choice of whether or not to decrypt the file.

ArsTechnica discussion: Copying encrypted (Safeboot) hard drive to SSD.

Decrypt the drive, image/copy the partitions, encrypt the new drive.

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Decrypting the drive is not an option but SafeBoot works in the background so I don't think this is the problem. I need to backup the files to a removable drive not use the old HD in a differnt PC. – Swinders Nov 5 at 12:24
Looks like I have somehow enabled the NTFS encryption of certain folders. This is what the green filenames represent. Right click on file/folder and Properties. Then click on 'Advanced...' and uncheck 'Encrypt contents to secure data'. Thanks for the pointers. – Swinders Nov 5 at 12:27
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I have the same problem, only i encrypted them with a user profile that nolonger exists... any suggestions, PLEAAAASE?

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welcome to SuperUser! you should post this as a new question. this is not a typical forum site; responses that are not answers are easy to overlook. in your post, be sure to provide as much information as you can about your problem. (feel free to link back to this question in your post if it helps explain your problem.) – ~quack Jan 31 at 3:31
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I don't know what makes your filenames green, but you can use Unlocker to close handles and copy/move your files/folders.

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Unlocker should technically be unable to subvert encryption 'locks'. – nik Nov 5 at 12:11
Thanks for the useful link but I don't think my files are locked. I think the green filenames are showing they are encrypted so windows is throwing this error. – Swinders Nov 5 at 12:20
OK, so you should think about removing the encryption. – Mehper C. Palavuzlar Nov 5 at 12:25
Yes, files are encrypted using under NTFS, right click on file/folder select Properties. Then Advanced button and deselect 'Encrypt contents to secure data'. It's going to take some time to work through all the files but hopefully that should be it sorted. – Swinders Nov 5 at 12:41

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