# Error “EFS-encrypted files may be unusable once restored”

**You may see a warning of this form in the backup job logs:**

`EFS-encrypted files may be unusable once restored, unless you also backup the EFS encryption keys from this PC.`<br>

To disable this warning, please ensure you have backed up the EFS encryption keys, and then enable the 'I confirm EFS keys are exported' option in the Protected Item settings.

<figure><img src="/files/WC5CRvI8OOlu0Ml2LmHo" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

EFS is a Windows feature that allows you to encrypt individual files on disk. The backup job was successful, but if you restore the data to a new PC, the files might not be readable because the EFS encryption keys are tied to the Windows user account. In effect, the backup might not be restorable in a practical sense.

For more information, please see the full article on [EFS in the Documentation](/documentation/confirm-efs-keys-are-exported-windows-efs.md) section.

{% content-ref url="/pages/Blv9IEXr1pc8T75tOI1a" %}
[Confirm EFS keys are Exported (Windows EFS)](/documentation/confirm-efs-keys-are-exported-windows-efs.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

***

[eazyBackup](https://eazybackup.com)


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