Files that are encrypted by using the Encrypting File System (EFS) are not backed up when you use the “Back up files” option in Windows Vista

You use the Back up files option in the Backup and Restore Center in Windows Vista. However, files are not backed up that are encrypted by using the Encrypting File System (EFS).

Note The Back up computer option in Windows Vista correctly backs up and restores EFS-encrypted files.

This issue occurs because the Back up files option does not support backing up EFS-encrypted files.

Note The Back up files option backs up individual files, while the Back up computer option makes a backup image of your whole computer. This backup image makes it possible to recover from a hardware failure.

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Create a backup with Windows Complete PC Backup. Use the Back up computer option in the Backup and Restore Center. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
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   , type backup in the Start Search box, and then click Backup and Restore Center in the Programs list.
2. In the Backup and Restore Center window, click Back up computer.
   
   Note When you run Back up computer the second time and successive times, only an incremental backup image of the computer is created.

Method 2

Use another program to back up EFS-encrypted files.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.