How to recover
Fix 0x80071771 “The specified file could not be decrypted” error
from Windows

Hello. My hard drive has crashed, but I managed to transfer my files to a new computer. The problem is that a part of the data got encrypted. Each time I attempt to open them or transfer to another location, I get an error 0x80071771 saying "The specified file could not be decrypted." Is there something I could do?

The Error Code 0x80071771 that is reporting a problem that "The specified file could not be decrypted" points out to the Encrypting File System (EFS).[ref en-1] EFS is a built-in encryption tool in Windows 8, 10 and other versions, which has been developed for the sake of security of people's files.

EFS function renders standard cryptographic algorithms, which locks files that recognized by the system as unprotected. Encrypted data are subsequently protected from physical possession of the computer, as well as people who have unauthorized access to PC and files.[ref en-2] However, EFS protection may become a severe problem if the owner of the encrypted data does not possess the appropriate cryptographic key.

This type of file encryption is not the safes one if applied intentionally by the user to protect files from unauthorized access. In other words, the encryption is transparent,[ref en-3] and the key is stored in the operating system (OS), meaning that it can be extracted.

There's a couple of decryption methods that you can try, but before that, you'll have to take full permission to access system files. Thus, follow the instructions carefully:

Step 1. Take full permission to access system files

• Right-click on your hard drive and select Properties.

• Open Security tab and click Edit.

• Now select Add and type Everyone in the Enter the object names to select section.

• Click OK to save the changes.

• Then click Everyone and mark Allow check box next to Full Control under Permissions for Everyone section.
• Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
• Now reopen the Security tab and open Advanced section.
• Click Change Permissions at the bottom of the window. 
• Type Everyone and click OK.
• Mark the Replace owner on sub-containers and objects option and click Apply.
• Then open Auditing tab and click Add.

• Click on Select a principal option and type Everyone.
• Click OK to save the changes.
• Then find Basic permissions section and mark a checkbox next to Full Control.
• Click OK, Apply and OK to approve the changes.
• Finally, restart your PC.

Step 2. Fix 0x80071771 error "The specified file could not be decrypted" by applying decryption steps

• Right-click on the file or folder that displays the 0x80071771 error.
• Click File ownership and select Personal.

If that did not help, please try alternative data decryption method:

• Right-click on the encrypted file or folder and select Properties.
• Heed to the General tab and select Advanced.
• Unmark the Encrypt contents to secure data option and click OK.

• Then click the button next to Apply changes to this folder only or Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files depending on your preferences,
• Click OK to save the changes.

The last decryption method that we suggest trying is a Command Prompt script. To run it, please do the following:

• Right-click on Windows key and select Command Prompt (Admin).
• Alternatively, you can open Windows search and type Command Prompt.
• Right-click on the result and select Run as Administrator.
• Once an elevated Command Prompt opens, copy and paste the cipher /d "full path of file with the extension" command and press Enter.

NOTE: make sure to type in a full path of the encrypted file or folder between the commas.

• Then press Enter to execute the command.

That's it. Hopefully, you have managed to fix "The specified file could not be decrypted" error with an error code 0x80071771 successfully. In case you are still struggling to open your files, let us know, and we'll try to help you.