You receive an error message and you cannot move an encrypted file to a FAT partition in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (886969)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), when you try to move a file to another partition on your computer or to a network server, the file might not be moved and you might receive the following error message:
The specified file could not be encrypted.

CAUSE

This issue may occur when you cut an encrypted file from an NTFS file system partition and paste the file to a FAT partition. An encrypted file is no longer encrypted after you move the file from NTFS to FAT. You receive the error message even though the file does not move.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, copy the file from the NTFS partition and then paste the file to the FAT partition on your computer or to a network server. After you copy and paste the file, you can then delete the file from its original location.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/30/2004
Keywords:kbtshoot kbprb KB886969 kbAudEndUser
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