This article provides step-by-step instructions for accessing the backup keyrings created automatically by PGP Encryption Desktop for Windows

One of the standard settings in PGP Encryption Desktop is to automatically create a backup copy of the public and private keyring files. These backup keyrings are created the first time PGP Encryption Desktop is opened and closed. If you have lost or deleted your keypair, you may be able to regain it by accessing the backup keyrings created automatically by PGP Encryption  Desktop.

Access the Backup Keyrings Created by PGP Encryption Desktop

1. Click the PGP Tray lock icon in your system tray and then click Open Symantec Encryption Desktop.
2. Right-click on the title of the PGP Keys control box, then click Add:
3. When the PGP Keyring Properties window opens, type a descriptive name for the keyrings in the Name field, then click the button to the right of the Public keyring file field:
4. Browse to the location of the backup public keyring file, then select it and click Open.
   
   

   Note: By default, the backup public keyring file is created in the %USERPROFILE%\Documents\PGP directory with the name pubring-bak.pkr. For example, if your username is "bob", then by default your backup public keyring file would be: C:\Users\Bob\Documents\PGP\pubring-bak.pkr

5. Now click the button to the right of the Private keyring file field:
6. Browse to the location of the backup private keyring file, then select it and click Open.
   
   

   Note: By default, the backup private keyring file is created in the %USERPROFILE%\Documents\PGP directory, with the name secring-bak.skr. For example, if your username is "bob", then by default your backup private keyring file would be: C:\Users\Bob\Documents\PGP\secring-bak.pkr

7. Click OK to close the PGP Keyring Properties window:
8. The backup keyrings are now accessible by the name you gave them in step 3:

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