Encrypted Files moved to FAT32 Data Locker/Iron Key drive inaccessible

Question

Hi All! I have scoured the interwebs for literal days and cannot find an answer for my issue. My heavily restricted company computer had to be reimaged. I was able to move all of my files to a password protected Iron Key USB. The issue is that my important files are encrypted with EFS. I did create a backup certificate and have installed said certificate on the newly reimaged computer without issues as I have the password as well. The thumbprint matches as expected. For some reason, this drive was formatted as Fat32. So ownership cant be forced or shared in the security tab, because there isn't one. File owner is Everyone and I need Everyone's permission to do anything to or with the file up to and including opening it despite having the proper cert. I have read that FAT32 does not work on Windows 10, which I dispute because I can do anything I want with the other files that I backed up. I have scanned the drive with a recovery app and it shows that they are healthy, but when extracting them to another drive, it wont deencrypt anymore. I found another application that will change the drive from Fat32 to NTFS without destroying the data. Since I cannot make copies of the files in question, I am worried that using that method would lose or otherwise destroy the data. Tech support for the drive said that I'm on my own since they cant say how their device will react to that type of manipulation. I have tried so many things I cant even think of what to list. I am the admin on the non work computer and it doesn't matter. I also have tried to copy the files using CMD with no success. Is there anything I can do or am I doomed to look at my files forever and not be able to touch them? Hellllp! Thank you in advance!

***Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, and storage***

Answer 1

Hi JamesMeaney,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forums.

Use data recovery software:

You have tried scanning the drive using a recovery application but failed to decrypt the files successfully. This may be because these recovery software do not have special treatment for EFS encryption.

Try to find software that specifically supports EFS encrypted data recovery and read its instructions carefully to make sure that it can decrypt the files without destroying the data.

Convert the drive to NTFS:

Another application you mentioned can change a drive from Fat32 to NTFS without destroying data.This is a method worth trying, but before doing so, make sure that you have backed up all your important data (although this may be a bit difficult in this case).

Before performing this operation, learn more about how the application works and user reviews to ensure its reliability and security.

Operation Steps:

Connect your Iron Key USB to a Windows computer.

Format the drive from Fat32 to NTFS using a disk management utility (e.g. diskmgmt.msc that comes with Windows) or third-party software (e.g. EaseUS Partition Master, etc.).

Note: When performing this operation, be sure to select the “Quick Format” option to minimize the risk of data loss. However, please note that since your files are encrypted, there is no guarantee that the data can be fully recovered even if you select “Quick Format”.

After formatting is complete, try to access your encrypted files. If the file system conversion was successful and your backup certificate is valid, you should be able to decrypt and access these files.

Contact technical support:

Although the drive's technical support states that they are unable to help, you can try describing your problem in detail and seeking their advice or guidance.

Sometimes, the technical support staff may be able to provide some additional information or tools to help you solve your problem.

Seek professional help:

If you have tried all of the above and still cannot solve the problem, then it may be necessary to seek professional data recovery services.

These services usually have more advanced data recovery techniques and tools that can handle more complex data recovery problems.

Best regards

Neuvi

Answer 2

Thank you Neuvi, I'm terrified of the formatting process ensuring that I never recover the data. I reached back out to tech support and they seem willing to give it a shot at assisting me recover the files. I was able to move the files on to a Win 7 computer that allowed me to manipulate the files without permission issues. However, the data is still scrambled from encryption, but the encryption check box is not checked. Despite having the key and password, there doesn't seem to be anything further that I can do from that angle. Do you have any ideas with that? Greatly appreciate your time. Jim