Encrypted files + Windows Reinstall = Badness?

[Kender]

I was wondering, if I encrypt files (using Windows XP's file encryption thingamabob) and then reinstall windows, will the files become irretrievable?

I seem to reinstall windows quite often these days, and I don't want to lose anything.

If this is true, are there any steps to data recovery?

Thanks in advance.

[Midknyte]

if you reformat, then the encryption key changes because it is based on the SID. you won't be able to get the data back.

[Deep6]

I would do some research on encryption, i am sure there is a way to store the encryption key to a floppy in the event of a catastrophic failure of the hard drive or OS. It dont make sense to have that feature to have the OS crash and then all your valuable data be lost...forever.

Google would be yer best friend on this topic, that and search the microsoft webpages.

[Midknyte]

you can make a backup key, but without the original OS/SID to authenticate the key, you're screwed. that's one of the issues with EFS, which is why I don't recommend it. Another thing is that if you forget your password and do a reset, that will mess you up since EFS uses a hash of your SID, password, time/date stamp, etc. if you want to change your password, always choose to change the password, not just a reset.

[rangeral]

Thats why I stick to fat32, makes it easy to retrieve files when you can see both drives on my dual-boot, I'd use fat32 even if it was just one OS I was using, don't need the extra's for my purposes.

[G]

I will decipher them for you, if you like, without any breach of confidentiality. Spankyjo can vouch for me.

I’m beta tester for a major encryption breaking and PW retrieval company so I could do with some files that have not been created by me that are real world.

[Kender]

Dag-nabbit, how did you know this was more than a hypothetical situation!?

I'm so transparent :*

Thank you for the offer, and thank you for the responses, but I've already deleted the files (mostly old homework and errr, stuff).

Who needs a paper written at 2 AM from your first semester anyway?