Encrypting File System in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Abstract

Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Server 2003 provide many enhancements in the area of data protection— especially Encrypting File System (EFS). This article provides a technical walkthrough that illustrates how to use important data recovery and protection features in various Windows platforms. Also included are best practices and the steps needed to build an effective data recovery and protection strategy.

On This Page

Introduction 
EFS Enhancements in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 
Data Recovery Overview 
Data Recovery Using EFS 
Data Recovery—Best Practices 
Data Protection—Best Practices 
Data Recovery Versus Key Recovery 
Troubleshooting 
Summary 
Related Links 
Knowledge Base Articles on EFS 

Introduction

Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Server 2003 provide significant advancements in data recovery and protection and private key recovery. Microsoft Windows 2000 introduced the capability for data protection and protected data recovery with the implementation of Encrypting File System (EFS), and this capability has been enhanced in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

EFS—in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003—supports the use of data recovery agents (DRA) to decrypt files that have been encrypted by other users.

This article is intended to assist system architects and administrators in developing best practices for creating data recovery and data protection strategies using Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

In addition to explaining strategies for data recovery and data protection in Windows XP, this article includes many step-by-step examples that illustrate how to set up the data recovery and data protection features you'll want to use when deploying a Windows XP data recovery and protection solution.

The main topics discussed include:

EFS Enhancements in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Data Recovery Overview

Data Recovery Using EFS

Data Recovery—Best Practices

Data Protection—Best Practices

Data Recovery Versus Key Recovery

Troubleshooting

Note EFS is not available in Windows XP Home Edition.

Read more: Technet

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