What do I need to know when upgrading from BoxCryptor Classic to 2.x?

bc203331

Hi,

I downloaded BoxCryptor 2.x and tried to install it, but stopped because I didn't want to screw things up before I fully understand the differences between the two versions.

So I have a few questions:

1. Is there a way I can convert my Classic installation to a 2.x installation, in place, most importantly keeping the encryption keys the same? Is there any way I can use the same settings in my .encfs6.xml and user.config files?

2. For 2.x offline installations, must I use a keyfile?

3. Can keyfiles be any file I specify? Is there any way to create a keyfile based on the encryption keys I am already using?

Thanks

Robert

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in Boxcryptor 2.0.

1) I'm sorry, but it is not possible to convert a 1.x installation to a 2.0 installation in place because they are not compatible. Boxcryptor 2.0 was developed almost completely from scratch and does encrypt files differently then 1.x (although still using the AES-256 algorithm). Boxcryptor 2.0 offers a tool to import 1.x files into 2.0

2) Yes, if you want to use Boxcryptor 2.0 with an Offline Account, you have to use a keyfile where Boxcryptor can store your encryption keys. The purpose of this keyfile is similar to the .encfs6.xml file of Boxcryptor 1.x

3) If you create a new Offline Account, Boxcryptor creates a new keyfile. The keyfile has a specific format which holds the different keys, so it is not possible to use any arbitrary file. Existing keys from 1.x cannot be "re-used" in 2.0.

Best regards,
Robert

PS: We added some more information about the differences between Boxcryptor Classic and Boxcryptor (2.0) to our documentation: https://secomba.atlassian.net/wiki/display/DOC/Boxcryptor+vs.+Boxcryptor+Classic

Xandrian

Hi,

I want to try the new 2.0 Version but canceled the installation. You wrote 2.0 is a complete new version but I cannot install both versions. So I cannot migrate folder for folder.

I have a lot of files and I don't want to migrate everything at the same time. I also had a lot of problems with the .155 version and moved back to .142 and work now with eht 1.5.x.164. So I want to be realy sure that the version 2 runs stable before I migrate all my files into it..

felipe1982

really annoying! the migration tool decrypted my files INSIDE DROPBOX, then dropbox was uploading them UNENCRYPTED TO THE CLOUD!

FrankGfromW

WOW! Taking into consideration that BCs main use is CLOUD encryption that does mean one has to download all stuff, 'convert' it (however one does it) and then to re-upload it?
Just besides the greedy new pricing that is a total deal-breaker. I dunno what you do in the cloud, I do backup my whole system. Which meant meanwhile around 500 GB of data to download and re-upload. Simply ridiculous.

Fernando Madruga

So, I started the 2.0 installer, got told it would uninstall v 1.x (so far, so good, that's the least I'd expect), then it complains that BC is still running in the tray, I close it, retry a few more times only to have to cancel the installer. Then I fire it up again and all goes well, or so I think...

Then the "big" issue: my files are still encrypted using a key that, I've read above, won't work on version 2??? WHAT THE F*CK??? If you guys need BETA testers, ASK for them! Don't release shit calling it an "upgrade"! If anything, this only makes me think twice about what I was trusting before! Others report having their files unencrypted and re-uploaded un-encrypted... Seriously, are you guys NUTS? The disrespect you guys have shown in this "upgrade" is appalling, to say the least. You've shown that you don't care for your users nor their data, so I'm going back to 1.5, but only for the minimum amount of time possible to decrypt my info and then look for some other alternative.

Robert

Hello Fernando,

You can install and run Boxcryptor Classic (1.6) and Boxcryptor (2.0) at the same time, but not 1.5 and 2.0. That's why the 2.0 installer uninstalls 1.x if it is installed.

As stated on the website (and above), 1.x and 2.0 versions are not compatible so you have two choices if you want to use 2.0 with already encrypted 1.x files:
1) Use the built-in 2.0 importer to convert your 1.x files to 2.0
2) Install Boxcryptor Classic and run 2.0 and 1.6 at the same time

Best regards,
Robert

ralvy

I have Boxcryptor Classic 1.3.4 for Mac OSX, and there doesn't seem to be a later Classic version for Mac OSX. Does this mean that I will not be able run Class and v2 side by side on my Mac? This thread seems to suggest that I need Classic 1.6 to do that.

Robert

Hello ralvy,

BC Classic v1.3.4 is currently the latest version on Mac OS X and BC Classic v1.6 the latest version on Windows. (There's no direct link between minor versions on the different platforms).

You can run BC Classic v1.3.4 and v2.0 side by side on Mac OS X perfectly fine.

Best regards,
Robert