Disable Encrypting File System for a domain

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To disable Encrypting File System for a domain

Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
Right-click the domain whose recovery policy you want to change, and then click Properties.
Click the Group Policy tab.
Right-click the recovery policy you want to change, and then click Edit.
In the console tree, click Encrypting File System.

Where?
- Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Public Key Policies/Encrypting File System
Right-click Encrypting File System, then click Properties.
Clear the Allow users to encrypt files using Encrypting File System (EFS) check box.

Notes

To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Admins group or the Enterprise Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
To open Active Directory Users and Computers, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Active Directory Users and Computers.
This operation can be performed on any sites, domains or organizational units within an Active Directory forest.
This procedure completely disables EFS. To allow EFS to continue working without using recovery agents, see Related Topics.

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