[SOLVED] Access denied - Windows 10 files on WD Passport Ultra - only Desktop affected

[tiggerfanatic]

Awhile back I stupidly didn't continue to back up my computer even though knew hard drive going bad. I have a WD Passport Ultra and when restored my computer using it, I noticed my entire desktop that I had saved on the external hard drive is now encrypted and no matter what I try I get access denied. I have tried going to properties to change it and all that and nothing works. Before I had put the new hard drive in there were only a couple or so docs on desktop that were encrypted - now everything is! In fact, I because of this I couldn't copy them over to my desktop computer. It is only the desktop folder on my external hard drive that is affected. Please help if you can! Thanks!

https://prnt.sc/p2fddr

https://prnt.sc/p2fe1y

 

[viveknayyar007]

Hello

If you haven't performed clean installation of Windows after encrypting, a workaround could be to set the same username and password you were using when you encrypted the files, and then try opening them.

If somehow you have deleted the user account altogether or have removed Windows, I'm afraid there's no other means to recover the encrypted files, unless you've backed up your encryption key.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!!