This article will focus on the data loss occurring on the hard drive that is encrypted by the Windows built-in encryption tool – BitLocker. It’ll expose the 6 most common reasons and provide according solutions.
In order to protect private, sensitive or confidential data stored on the computer hard drive, users tend to encrypt the data or the entire hard drive. If your PC is working on Windows system, this can be pretty simple as Windows has offered a built-in encryption tool – BitLocker. In spite of convenience and security it brings to users, BitLocker still can lead to some troubles, such as data loss. Therefore, in the followings, we will look at the data loss on BitLocker-encrypted hard drive to unveil its 6 top causes and corresponding measures.
1. Human Mistakes
Like other hard drives which aren’t encrypted, human mistakes can lead to data loss as well. For example, you accidentally or improperly delete any files without realizing it in time. Or you mistakenly format a wrong drive, causing all data gone. Various human mistakes can result in data loss.
Solution: Depending on the concrete human errors, you can apply different ways to recover data from the encrypted drive, such as using data recovery software or restoring data from backups, etc.
2. Virus Infection
Although you’ve encrypted your hard drive via BitLocker, it still can be attacked by virus. For instance, you visit unsafe websites or download unreliable software. All these similar actions can give viruses chance to assault your drive data.
Solution: In this case, you can scan the drive via antivirus software, trying to kill the potential virus. If it fails, you can resort to related professionals.
3. Physical Damage on Disk
Moreover, as we know, hard drive is vulnerable due to its sensitive moving parts. Thus, if it suffers any physical damage, your drive data will tend to get corrupted or lost.
Solution: In general, data recovery specialists still can get back the data from the drive which is only damaged slightly. But if it is corrupt seriously, such as it melts or it’s tattered, data recovery will be considerably difficult and even impossible.
4. Logical Errors on Drive
Aside from physical damage, data loss can occur on encrypted drive due to logical issues, say file system corruption, drive input/output error, and corrupted Meta data related to the drive and so on.
Solution: In this scenario, generally, you have to solve the logical problems in the first place. For instance, you can use inbuilt tool – CHKDSK to fix the issue. If fails, then recur to third party repair tool or repair service.
5. Forget Password & Recovery Key
Windows BitLocker encryption tool will force you to create a recovery key when you set it up. Nevertheless, if you forget both the password and recovery key, you will surely find that drive data is inaccessible.
Solution: You can consult with the Microsoft support staff or visit its official sites to search for some useful information. Of course, you can take recourse to data recovery software or experts.
6. Unexpected Errors during Encryption/Decryption
Hard drive is very sensitive during encryption or decryption. Hence, if BitLocker crashes in this process, it will lead to the process terminating unanticipatedly. In this case, no matter how you try to continue the process after it restores, you will fail. And your data will tend to get damaged, like corrupt PST file, etc.
Solution: In this case, DIY data recovery may be unrealistic and not suggested in that any improper operation will cause further damage to your data. Therefore, you had better seek relevant professionals for help.
Author Introduction:
Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including damaged mdf and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com