Yep its yet another blog about Windows 7 but this time I’m moaning about Windows 7 EFS that comes standard with Windows 7 Professional. In Windows XP the EFS (Encrypted File System) was a great system for encrypting your data so it couldn’t be looked at by unauthorised people. In Windows Vista they never added it for home users in Windows Vista Home Starter, Basic or Premium but was available in the Business version upwards. The Windows 7 Professional version of EFS however is perhaps the worst thing i have ever seen in my life. The system Encrypts files perfectly and it un-encrypts files perfectly – however nothing that was encrypted can then be read. Its absurd. The system once you encrypt files only allows you to view the files within that user session, once you reboot the system – the files are useless, scrambled and un-usable. I have tried different keys, i have tried different locations and user rights and nothing seems to work. The files however can still be un-encrypted – but that makes no difference what so ever as the files are completely dead. When i first installed Windows 7 Professional i intentionally encrypted my Personal folder that contained back ups of passwords and they were all useless after i had rebooted, thankfully i had them backed up still and they were restored. Since that time i have tried many different configurations to something that should be a very simple system to use and nothing seems to make a difference. Microsoft have really messed up on the EFS system of Windows 7 Professional and i do wonder if as yet any other users have encountered similar problems. I have created new encryption keys and i have tried different user rights and nothing seems to make a difference. I have to give Windows 7 Professional EFS a lovely score of 0/10