subject: Efs-encrypted Files Cannot Be Restored Using Ntbackup Utility In Windows [print this page] In this era of computers, it is essential to keep your confidential data protected from unauthorized access. Privacy of significant data is most important for success of a business. If your confidential information is stolen, it can be used against your organization. In order to avoid such situations, data encryption is used. When a file is encrypted, it is converted into a format that is unreadable by other people. A key is assigned at the time of encryption, which is required to read encrypted file. However, in some situations, you can not restore the encrypted files from backup in case of data loss. This causes data loss and calls for Windows Data Recovery.
Microsoft Windows XP operating system enables you to backup your valuable data using NTBackup utility. You can also backup encrypted files using this utility. However, when you try to restore the files that are encrypted using EFS (Encrypting File System) on NTFS file system partition, the encrypted files can't be restored properly. Furthermore, restore process using NTBackup tool reports various errors. Additionally, you see the below event in System Log of Microsoft Windows operating system:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: NTFS
Event ID: 55
Description:
The file system structure on disk is corrupt and unusable. Please run the chkdsk utility on the volume Drive_letter.
When you reboot your system in such cases, Autochk.exe tool starts and searches for damaged data on NTFS file system partition. At this point, restore process fails and you can not Recover Windows data from backup.
Root of the problem:
This issue occurs if you are trying to restore files, which are encrypted using EFS. For instance, you may come across this problem if you restores certain encrypted files on Microsoft Windows computer, which has Microsoft Office 2007 installed.
Resolution:
Microsoft has provided a hotfix to prevent this problem from occurring in future. However, it can not fix the current problem. In such cases, you need to recover lost files using third-party Windows Data Recovery Software.
The applications are designed to thoroughly scan the entire hard drive and extract all lost, missing, and inaccessible data from it. Windows Recovery tools do not demand sound and prior technical skills as they have interactive and self-explanatory graphical user interface.
Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the most comprehensive program that ensure safe recovery in all data loss situations. It supports recovery from FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, VFAT, NTFS, and NTFS5 file system partitions. The software recovers data from storage media having Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, and 2000 operating system.
