That's not a bad thought. I think syncing would be my last resort. And, I wouldn't sync directly to a good copy of the program on the server unless you have a good backup. Even then I would be careful. I would look at it like First Do No Harm.
Try this first. Install a completely fresh copy with SQL Server Express onto a separate machine and run AC there. Then maybe add a few imported items. Make sure everything works. Then make a backup of the one on the server that is up to date but the Imported Items aren't working. Move this .enc file to the new computer or just browse to it. Now using restore from the brand new install, restore the new machine using the backup and overwrite everything. Possibly, just hoping, that by doing this something allows the SQL Server Engine to allow the database to connect to imported items.
2. If this doesn't work, do the above but use an .enc backup from the up to date version on your present server and then add the imported items and run.
If this doesn't work, let me know, and I have my ultimate idea prior to doing any syncing. The sync is a good idea, but I don't completely trust it yet.
