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Accessing and using an EFS private key

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by loveanne 1 view

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How would I change the path/directory to access and use an EFS private key that was saved on a data disk if I lost my private key? What about changing directory to use one stored in a smart card?

3 replies

by rkelly

If you have a copy of your private key anywhere then you can import it using the certificate snap-in in the MMC.

1. Run the MMC from a command prompt of from Start, Run
2.Select Console, Add/Remove Snap-in, Add and select Cetificates - local user.

Look at your local certificate store, right click and import your certificate from your data disk - or from your smart card- providing that the certificate on your smart card was actually allowed for encrytption, and NOT just authentication.

by loveanne

Thanks for the information. But what would I do if I don't have a network? And I only want to change the directory to the data storage where the key is and use it without importing it since I don't want it to be in the hard drive for further security reasons?

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