Microsoft KB Archive/939391

= Error message when you try to open an EFS-encrypted file in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003 after the file has been opened in Windows Vista: &quot;Access is denied&quot; =

Article ID: 939391

Article Last Modified on 11/26/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Starter
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Ultimate

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario. In Windows Vista, you use Encrypting File System (EFS) to create an EFS-encrypted file. Or, you edit an EFS-encrypted file in Windows Vista. Then, you try to open the file in Microsoft Windows XP or in Microsoft Windows Server 2003. In this scenario, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Access is denied

You cannot open an EFS-encrypted file in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003 after the file has been opened in Windows Vista.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because Windows Vista uses version 3 of the $EFS stream. Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 use version 2. Windows Vista updates the $EFS stream on encrypted files to version 3. There is currently no option to save the EFS-encrypted file in Windows Vista by using a format that can be opened in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.

Keywords: kbtshoot kbbug kbnofix kbexpertisebeginner kbwinvistapostrtmfix KB939391

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