I purchased Windows 8 directly from Microsoft, and installed it. Files and Settings were transferred from Windows 7.
Media Edition was offered as a free upgrade before some date - so I installed that as well.
Configuration: 120GB SSD C: Windows D: boot. Due to space problems, a new drive E: was setup - all document, system TEMP, ect. were moved to it.
I heard about the upgrade to 8.1 - figuring it was just an upgrade like a service pack - I downloaded and installed it.
I was NOT prompted to log in after the upgrade - I was prompted to create a new account - figuring ok, maybe this was some security check thing - I entered my Hotmail account info and proceeded.
I was then Completely unable to access the E:\Misc\SecureS folder - where the SecureS folder and all files were EFS encrypted under Windows 8.0.
I researched and found where to disable the email login and change to Local login - Was prompted and entered the same username and password used previously... Guessing it then created a new account instead of using the Windows 8.0 account.
Still unable to access any of the shown as 'green' (the box in folder settings to show encrypted files and folders green was still set).
I called Microsoft - and spent a bunch of time sitting there as they attempted to 'take ownership' or add 'Everyone' to a file or folders security settings. Not once did anyone try to change EFS certificate settings or even look at certificates. Eventually some Level 2 support guy with a very foreign name told me they could not help. They are not allowed to touch my files (even though they tried modifying the security settings - right...). Basically obvious no-one at the Level 2 support for MS knew anything about EFS - and didn't want to deal with me after 4 remote sessions over 3 weeks...
I did discover, right-clicking a green file - the Advanced - Details shows a User from like 2006, long ago pre Windows 7 - so guess the certificate that migrated to Windows 8 was old. It's thumbprint starts 'C392...'
I ran 'Manage your Encrypted File Certificates' and the active has a new date - obviously, but there are others listed, one has the same thumbnail - but it cannot be selected as I get 'Keyset does not exist'. when trying to select it. I probably found
a .cer file I exported for it long ago and imported it. I did try a couple I had exported over the years...
I would think someone at Microsoft support would understand the EFS certificate system and somehow be able to find and reset the keys to the prior OS - Windows 8.
Can anyone suggest a solution to this?
Thank you,
Todd
