Remove EFS protection after windows reinstall?

Hi,

My friend sold his computer, before he handed it over, he backed up all his files on an external HDD and reinstalled windows. Unfortuently he didnt back up his public key and now cannot access his Uni documents.

1) Is it posible to remove the encryption without having the key (in any shape or form)

2) Is it posible to create a key, and somhow edit the thimbprint to replicate the needed key?

Any help would be appreciated

Thank you

Remove EFS protection after windows reinstall?free antivirus download

I am not sure if this will work or not but:

You can use the MS Backup utility that is on your XP CD to remove EFS protection. Use the MS Backup util to backup your EFS files, then recover them. During the recovery there is an option for removing EFS protection.