Question Recovering encrypted files from external hard drive

[Ponyventures]

I encrypted some files on a computer in Windows 10, and then that computer crashed. I took the hard drive out of the computer and connected it to a different computer so I could get the files, but then realized that I can't get them out of the hard drive or open them. How do I fix this?
The list of things I've tried:
File Properties Window
Control panel
Command Prompt (many attempts)
Command Prompt Admin (also many attempts)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Antivirus
Googling the solution (with no success)

 

[rgd1101]

encrypted with what?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Assuming Bitlocker was used, then, unless you have the recovery key recorded somewhere, you will never recover anything from that drive. The whole idea behind encryption is to prevent exactly what you are doing. This is why you keep backups.

 

[USAFRet]

Supply the relevant recovery key to the drive, and you're in.
Without that, you are 100% out of luck.

If circumventing encryption were easy, then it wouldn't be much good, would it?

 

[Ponyventures]

encrypted with what?

I just clicked the little button in the file properties that says "encrypt concents to secure data". also, apologies for not replying until now.

 

[popatim]

As said, without the encryption key, you're not getting anything.

 

[USAFRet]

I just clicked the little button in the file properties that says "encrypt concents to secure data". also, apologies for not replying until now.

Right.
That encrypts the data for the user doing it. No other user account can read it.

It also prompted you to create a backup of the file encryption key. I'm guessing you did not do that.

Without that encryption key, or an actual backup of your data elsewhere, you are out of luck.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Closing this thread as it could go on forever. I'm sure the OP is sufficiently informed now.