How to Recover Deleted Encrypted Files

Encrypted files are files that are encoded so that only a select group of people can read them. If you accidentally deleted an encrypted file meant for yourself, there is one way you can recover it. You must use a computer and a file recovery program to do so. This program will search your hard drive for deleted files and restore them to your computer.

Things You'll Need

• File recovery program

Instructions

1. Restore deleted files with the free EASEUS Deleted File Recovery program. Select the hard drive you want to scan and the program will pop up thumbnail images of the deleted files. Click the checkbox beside the files you want and press "Restore." EASEUS is free to use.

2. Reclaim deleted files with Recuva. Choose the hard drive from the selection tool at the box and search through the deleted files below. Click on the files you want and press "Restore." Recuva is a free program.

3. Salvage deleted and formatted files with eIMAGE Recovery. Find the hard drive you want and the program will scan it for deleted and formatted files. Find the encrypted files and press "Restore." As of August 2010, this program costs $27.

Tips & Warnings

• Back up your files every week so that you do not lose them.

• Turning the computer off while it is being scanned for deleted files may cause some files to become corrupted.

References

• SnapFiles: EASEUS Deleted File Recovery
• Snap Files: Recuva
• Snap Files: eIMAGE Recovery

Resources

• Tech Support Guy: Transfer Photos to an SD Card