GnuPG: "decryption failed: secret key not available" error from gpg on Windows

windows-xp gnu gnupg
Suresh Ramaswamy picture Suresh Ramaswamy · Sep 18, 2008 · Viewed 131k times · Source

Environment: HP laptop with Windows XP SP2

I had created some encrypted files using GnuPG (gpg) for Windows. Yesterday, my hard disk failed so I had reimage the hard disk. I have now reinstalled gpg and regenerated my keys using the same passphrase as earlier. But, I am now unable to decrypt the files. I get the following error:


C:\sureshr>gpg -a c:\sureshr\work\passwords.gpg
gpg: encrypted with 1024-bit ELG-E key, ID 279AB302, created 2008-07-21
      "Suresh Ramaswamy (AAA) BBB"
gpg: decryption failed: secret key not available

C:\sureshr>gpg --list-keys
C:/Documents and Settings/sureshr/Application Data/gnupg\pubring.gpg
--------------------------------------------------------------------
pub   1024D/80059241 2008-07-21
uid                  Suresh Ramaswamy (AAA) BBB
sub   1024g/279AB302 2008-07-21

AAA = gpg comment
BBB = my email address

I am sure that I am using the correct passphrase. What exactly does this error mean? How do I tell gpg where to find my secret key?

Thanks,

Suresh

Answer

aaronsw picture aaronsw · Nov 2, 2011

You need to import not only your secret key, but also the corresponding public key, or you'll get this error.

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