Methods for Restore Encrypted Hard Drive After Formatting? (2024)

In a nutshell: This blog post will describe how to restore encrypted hard drive after formatting if the encryption was accidentally destroyed. BLR BitLocker data recovery tool can recover lost data or missing partitions from BitLocker-encrypted hard drives.

Microsoft includes the BitLocker encryption mechanism in Windows, which encrypts whole disks to protect data from unauthorized access. When you activate BitLocker, it encrypts the files and folders on your hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card.

You may format the encrypted hard drive on occasion, resulting in data loss. It may be difficult to restore encrypted hard drive after formatting. In this post, we’ll go over how to recover data from encrypted BitLocker-formatted hard disks. Windows BLR BitLocker Data Recovery Tool

Accidental Formatting:

Occasionally, while attempting to format another disk, you may mistakenly format a disk containing critical information.
Intentional Formatting: You can’t access data if the file system on a device is set to RAW. In this instance, the only choice is to format the disk. However, formatting may cause data loss.

Virus Infection:

If a virus attacks your hard drive, the data on it may become corrupted or unreadable. The disk may be banned by the computer’s firewall or antivirus software in this situation, requiring you to format it. In some cases, the Windows firewall may erase BitLocker metadata, resulting in data loss.

Methods for Restore Encrypted Hard Drive after Formatting
The following are the methods for disabling BitLocker encryption:

Method 1: Using BitLocker’s Drive Encryption feature

Follow these procedures to decode a BitLocker-encrypted drive:

1.Go to the Start screen.
2.Select the Control Panel.
3.Choose Security and System.
4.Select BitLocker Drive Encryption.
5.Click to decrypt a disk. (With this option, the selected drive is automatically unlocked.)

Method 2: Decrypt using certificates

To decrypt a BitLocker-encrypted drive using certificates, perform the following steps:

[Note: The encrypted hard drive’s certificate is necessary for this.]

  1. Choose Start.
    2.Enter after typing certmgr.msc.
    3.Click to open Certificate Manager.
    4.Choose a Personal File.
    5.Choose All Tasks > Action.
    6.Follow the instructions on the screen and the Certificate Import Wizard.

Method 3 is to use Windows GUI Mode.

Take the steps given below to disable BitLocker encryption.

[Notice: You need administrative rights to disable BitLocker encryption.]

1.Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Encryption to encrypt your BitLocker drive.
2.Locate the BitLocker-encrypted drive and click Turn Off BitLocker.
3.According to the notification, the drive will be decrypted, which may take some time. Select Turn off BitLocker/Decrypt the drive to proceed and disable restore encrypted hard drive after formatting.
4.It may take some time to decrypt the drive and remove BitLocker protection.

Method 4: Decrypt using Windows PowerShell Mode

To disable BitLocker encryption using Windows PowerShell mode, you must first install Windows PowerShell on your PC. Otherwise, go to the Microsoft website and download and install the appropriate version of Windows PowerShell. Take the following steps next:

[Note: If the operating system-containing partition has any automatic unlocking keys, the cmdlet to disable BitLocker encryption will not work. Disabling BitLocker on the partition is as simple as using the Clear-BitLockerAutoUnlock cmdlet in the PowerShell window to delete all entries that automatically unlock the partition.

1.Enter administrator mode and launch PowerShell.
2.PS C:$BLV Get-BitLockerVolume
3.PS C:BitLocker Disable-Mountpoint $BLV
4.Use the following instructions to see if the decryption is proceeding:
5.Execute the directive: PS C: Obtain-BitLockerVolume
6.;Examine the “Volume Status” and “Encryption Percentage” to confirm the decryption status.

Recover Data from a BitLocker-Encrypted Formatted Drive
You must use trustworthy data recovery software, such as BLR BitLocker data recovery tool, to restore encrypted hard drive after formatting The software can restore data from BitLocker-encrypted storage devices that have been deleted, erased, or become unavailable. BLR BitLocker data recovery tool can recover any type of file from a password-protected or encrypted storage device.

To recover data from a formatted hard drive, use professional Windows data recovery software and follow the procedures below:

BLR bitlocker data recovery tool must be installed and activated.

1.From the “Select What to Recover” screen, select the file type you want to recover. Next should be selected.

2.Select the BitLocker-encrypted Windows drive volume. Scan should be selected.

3.From the “Recover From” screen, select the type of device from which the data is to be recovered.

[Note: The software will display a BitLocker password prompt. Enter the password to access and scan the drive. If you forget the BitLocker password, you cannot restore data from encrypted storage media.]

4.View the data in preview after the scan is complete. Choose the files to recover.

5.Find a place to save the files by clicking Browse. (Use an external hard drive to save retrieved data.)

To save the restored data, click Start Saving.

Services for BitLocker Encrypted Hard Drive Recovery
Select a reputable source of data recovery services, like Stellar, if you would prefer the professionals to do the data recovery task for you. BLR BitLocker data recovery tool has the infrastructure and experience needed to handle a variety of data loss scenarios.

BLR BitLocker data recovery tool has effectively retrieved data from many kinds of encrypted hard drives throughout the years. For example, data from an encrypted drive that was physically destroyed and formatted was retrieved by BLR Tools. After evaluating the damaged hard drive, experts start the appropriate data recovery procedure.

They use the steps listed below to retrieve deleted data from a hard drive that has been formatted and secured using BitLocker:

1.To make sure the drive is in operational condition, it is inspected.
2.The hard drive is then imaged in case any sectors are damaged.
3.To decrypt the drive, enter the BitLocker password.
4.A scan of the HDD partitions comes next. Errors can be fixed with the scan.

Following this, every file and folder on the drive is available and can be examined to look for any irregularities.

[Note: To unlock the drive and recover your data, you’ll need an encryption key or password.]

In Summary

This article covers how to restore encrypted hard drive after formatting. Using specialized data recovery software, like BLR BitLocker data recovery tool, is the best method for recovering data from a BitLocker-encrypted device. It is advised to seek assistance from a qualified data recovery service provider who has knowledge and experience handling all types of data loss scenarios if the hard drive is physically damaged.

Methods for Restore Encrypted Hard Drive After Formatting? (2024)

FAQs

Methods for Restore Encrypted Hard Drive After Formatting? ›

To recover data from a formatted drive, use data recovery software like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Stop using the drive immediately to prevent overwriting data. Install the software, scan the formatted drive, and preview the recovered files. Select the desired files and save them to a different drive.

Can an encrypted hard drive be recovered? ›

To access data from an encrypted storage device that has broken down, there are two factors you need on your side: the decryption credentials, and a team of data recovery experts to repair your storage device and recovery your encrypted files.

Is it possible to recover data after formatting a hard drive? ›

Yes, there are several free data recovery tools available that can be effective, especially for simple data loss scenarios like quick formats or accidental deletions. Tools such as Recuva, TestDisk, and PhotoRec offer free versions that can handle basic recovery tasks.

How to recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive? ›

Recover Data from Formatted BitLocker Encrypted Drive
  1. Choose BitLocker encrypted Windows drive volume. Click Scan. [Note: The software will prompt for a BitLocker password. Enter the password to access and scan the drive. ...
  2. Once the scan is complete, preview the data. Then, select the files that you want to recover.
Jul 23, 2024

Can encrypted data be restored? ›

A backup can help you recover your encrypted data in case of a ransomware attack, a hard drive failure, or a lost key. However, you need to make sure that your backup is also encrypted and that you have the key to decrypt it. Otherwise, you may expose your data to unauthorized access or corruption.

How to unlock an encrypted hard drive? ›

To unlock their drives, users must open “This PC” (or “My Computer”, depending on the version of Windows), right-click on the encrypted drive icons with the locked yellow padlock icon, click "Unlock Drive" and provide the Password.

Can you factory reset an encrypted hard drive? ›

Can you format an encrypted drive? It depends on the type of your drive. For a drive/USB/SD card to store data, you can easily format the drive with/without password. However, if the system drive or Windows installation drive uses BitLocker encryption, it's hard to format an encrypted drive without key.

Does formatting a hard drive make data unrecoverable? ›

A genuine low level format should render any data unrecoverable. The binary code on your hard drive is represented by either a positive or a negative magnetic represented as a 1 or a zero. Low level formatting writes zeros across the disk, therefore rendering any data unrecoverable.

Does formatting a disk erase data permanently? ›

No, it doesn't. Formatting declares the disk empty to the operating system, but the data remains on the disk surfaces until it's physically overwritten and can be recovered by forensic software. That's why formatting is a fairly quick process, but not enough when data privacy is paramount.

Can a wiped hard drive be recovered? ›

Technically, yes: you can recover deleted date with software – but we wouldn't recommend it. Data recovery software is not designed for the layperson – it needs to be operated by someone with appropriate training as it's often necessary to use metadata to reconstruct deleted files and return them to working order.

Can I recover data from BitLocker encrypted drive without a key? ›

Unless you have the key there is no way to recover the data, unless you broke the encryption yourself, which if you have the time or resources to do so you probably wouldn't be posting on here! Only thing you can do is either get the password/recovery needed or wipe the drive and start over.

Does formatting a drive remove BitLocker encryption? ›

Formatting the disk will remove the Bitlocker encryption. If you saved the keys in step 2, delete them. Any data remaining on the disk from before the format should be encrypted, and without the key, irrecoverable.

How do I remove BitLocker encryption from my hard drive? ›

  1. Type and search [Manage BitLocker] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.
  2. Click [Turn off BitLocker]③ on the drive that you want to decrypt. ...
  3. Confirm whether you want to decrypt your drive, then select [Turn off BitLocker]④ to start turning off BitLocker, and your drive will not be protected anymore.
Oct 24, 2023

Can I back up an encrypted disk to an unencrypted disk? ›

Is it OK to back up an encrypted disk to an unencrypted disk? Backing up an encrypted disk to an unencrypted disk can put your data at risk. It gives the other person possession of that disk and that they can easily read any data backup.

Can you remove encryption from a hard drive? ›

Type and search [Device encryption settings] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②. On the Device encryption field, set the option to [Off]③. Confirm whether you need to turn off device encryption, select [Turn off] to disable the device encryption function④.

What happens when a hard drive is encrypted? ›

Hard-drive encryption is a technology that encrypts the data stored on a hard drive using sophisticated mathematical functions. Data on an encrypted hard drive cannot be read by anyone who does not have access to the appropriate key or password.

How long does it take to unencrypt a hard drive? ›

How long will the encryption take? The length of time will depend on the size and speed of the hard drive in your computer. In our testing, the process has taken anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours.

Top Articles
Strengthening banks’ compliance frameworks
How to Transfer Money in Canada - NerdWallet Canada
Radikale Landküche am Landgut Schönwalde
55Th And Kedzie Elite Staffing
Using GPT for translation: How to get the best outcomes
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas - Pigeon Forge, TN
Frank Lloyd Wright, born 150 years ago, still fascinates
Mychart Mercy Lutherville
Lowes 385
Lichtsignale | Spur H0 | Sortiment | Viessmann Modelltechnik GmbH
The Many Faces of the Craigslist Killer
Iron Drop Cafe
Breakroom Bw
Best Fare Finder Avanti
Wgu Admissions Login
Non Sequitur
The Largest Banks - ​​How to Transfer Money With Only Card Number and CVV (2024)
Winco Employee Handbook 2022
Gazette Obituary Colorado Springs
Globle Answer March 1 2023
Reviews over Supersaver - Opiness - Spreekt uit ervaring
Craigslist Lake Charles
City Of Durham Recycling Schedule
Meta Carevr
27 Modern Dining Room Ideas You'll Want to Try ASAP
Publix Near 12401 International Drive
Mynahealthcare Login
Shoe Station Store Locator
Southtown 101 Menu
Plasma Donation Racine Wi
R/Sandiego
A Grade Ahead Reviews the Book vs. The Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - A Grade Ahead Blog
Solarmovie Ma
Orange Pill 44 291
Solve 100000div3= | Microsoft Math Solver
Craigslist Ludington Michigan
Marie Peppers Chronic Care Management
Woodman's Carpentersville Gas Price
Bella Thorne Bikini Uncensored
National Insider Threat Awareness Month - 2024 DCSA Conference For Insider Threat Virtual Registration Still Available
Oriellys Tooele
Anhedönia Last Name Origin
Sams Gas Price Sanford Fl
Walmart Car Service Near Me
Best GoMovies Alternatives
Kaamel Hasaun Wikipedia
Ajpw Sugar Glider Worth
House For Sale On Trulia
300+ Unique Hair Salon Names 2024
Craiglist.nj
Cvs Minute Clinic Women's Services
Www.card-Data.com/Comerica Prepaid Balance
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6019

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.