1) to unencrypt them you are going to need the encryption key and method, somehow I can't see avast being keep to provide this as it relates to the security of the avast chest, the whole purpose if to protect the files in it.
I don't want they 'provide' but release, a way to boot in a CD or USB drive and access the NTFS (or FAT32) system, pick up the file and unencrypt it. Could be an Alwil tool, a feature of avast... otherwise, the box is closed with the key inside them.
2) which file do you unencrypt as all the files in the chest have changed file names. You don't know which one would be the system file. I don't believe that having unencrypted it (even if possible) it doesn't restore the original file name so it would still be a guess as to which one might be the file reported missing by windows.
I agree... changing the file name won't help if the user needs to guess which file he is looking for. But, if avast has an external tool to unencrypt, to show the real file names and recover the info of the original path is simple.
3) I don't think this is always given it might well state that a file name is missing but often that doesn't include the location. You would still need to find where it should be like a search of the registry (difficult in DOS) or google, etc.
Ok. If avast puts a file into Chest it should store this info. The only thing I want is a possibility to restore it without having to login into Windows. This is a common problem, more than one user had to handle it... he can't login and the system file is inside Chest...
Personally I think the purpose of the chest to protect the file in it will defeat any attempt to extract a file from it, especially from DOS. You could try what you suggest from windows where you can copy a file from the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\chest to a folder of your choice (without using avast to extract it) and see if you can even decrypt it.
I'm not weakening the protection of Chest.
I just want to extract a clean system file from it. If not, what is the purpose of backing up files into Chest if the user can't login Windows?
This should in theory be easier in windows than DOS as you would at least be able to run some tools to try and decrypt it. You could place a harmless/clean file in the User section of the chest so you aren't working with a live virus. You could even try to find one of the back-up copies of the three system files.
I'm not a programmer... Alwil loves challenges... this is just another one.
Personally I think you would need to try a practical exercise as we could theorise for days as to if it could be done when the whole purpose is to protect files in the chest.
I don't want a theory... but I would like if Alwil team post something about the problem, if they're reading this thread anyway...