hiwell, as mentioned above, it will be very difficult to recover encrypted files if we install new windows.unfortunately, same has happened to me.i encrypted about 400-450 MB of data in Windows XP and then installed a new copy of windows.now i cannot access a single encrypte file.kindly help me in this regard... data is real important to me...i m willing to do the lengthiest procedure for that.please dont tell me that no on e can help me in this regard, there must be something that can be done. So plz HELP!thanx in advance :-)