Recover Files from TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt Disk: Expert Guide
Learn how to recover files from TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt encrypted disks with our essential guide. Whether you’ve forgotten the password, encountered disk errors, or need to access encrypted data for recovery purposes, it’s crucial to understand the process of decrypting and retrieving files from encrypted disks. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions and expert techniques to help you successfully recover files from TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt encrypted disks. From identifying the appropriate recovery methods to executing decryption processes, you’ll learn everything you need to know to ensure successful data retrieval. Don’t let encryption barriers hinder your data recovery—watch our guide and unlock your encrypted files today.
- What is TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt, and why would we use them?
- How to create an encrypted partition?
- How to mount and unlock the disk to access files?
- Recovering deleted files from a VeraCrypt container
- Questions and answers
- Comments
If you are looking for an easy and effective way to encrypt all computer data, from the system or logical disk and to a backup disk, external USB drive or a memory card, use VeraCrypt. This is an open-source tool meeting the highest data encryption standards.
What is TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt, and why would we use them?
The best way to protect your files from being viewed by other people is to encrypt them. The encryption tool uses a secret key to turn the file contents into a mishmash of symbols. There is no way to read the contents until an unlocking key is used.
The VeraCrypt tool is based on the very popular open-source utility, TrueCrypt. After the TrueCrypt project was closed, a company named IDRIX added new features to the product and fixed security issues.
With VeraCrypt, you can create an encrypted container which can be then mounted in your system as an ordinary disk. All files from this container are encrypted and encrypted on-the-fly. That is why you can view and edit them just as if they were located on your USB drive. When you finish working with them, the tool blocks access to this container, and cleans the keys and file contents from the system memory.
VeraCrypt can also encrypt your system drive, but we recommend using the Windows-integrated tool, BitLocker. A peculiarity of VeraCrypt is the ability to create a hidden encrypted partition. If you are held by law breakers, and demanded to give the key, you can let them have a fake unlocking key that will open the fake volume you have created beforehand. Meanwhile, using the main key will unlock a different volume containing real data.
How to create an encrypted partition?
Download and install the program, then open the Start menu and run VeraCrypt. You will see the main window:
The first step to take is to click Create Volume. This starts the Volume Creation Wizard that offers you a choice of the following options:
Creating an encrypted file container lets you generate such file on any disk currently connected to your computer. After that, such file can be mounted as a logical disk. Inside the file, a standard or hidden VeraCrypt volume can be created (we have just explained the difference above).
We will create a standard volume. The next step is choosing the volume location.
After that, decide on Encryption Algorithm and Hash Algorithm. By default, these are AES, and SHA-512, accordingly. Leave the settings as they are.
Now set the maximum volume size. Let’s set it to 5 GB.
Click Next and go on to create a password. When the password is given, save it to a safe location or use a password which you remember well. There is no way to restore a forgotten or lost password, and you can’t decrypt the date without the password.
You can use any files that can be applied as an alternative to password, by checking the Use key files option.
Click Next and confirm using large files.
Click Next and move on to volume format options and encryption key settings. Click and wait until the encrypted volume is created.
How to mount and unlock the disk to access files?
Click «Select File» in the program’s main window and choose the file where you saved the VeraCrypt container. After the file is chosen, select one of the available disks above. For example, let us select disk XXX and click on Mount.
Now you need to enter the password.
Now go to This PC and check if a new disk appeared there.
Recovering deleted files from a VeraCrypt container
Files deleted by mistake or lost after formatting the encrypted disk can be recovered with the help of Hetman Partition Recovery. Before scanning, you should mount the disk in the program. As VeraCrypt uses on-the-fly encryption principle, the recovery process will be no different from working with any other disk.
Download and install it, then follow the wizard directions for effective file recovery.
Without the unlocking password, all data remains encrypted and can’t be restored.
If you've deleted a veracrypt container and ran the hetmanrecovery software and it finds it but it says 0 bytes? Any advice to reconstruct the container? Thank you so much :(
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I have a laptop (ssd+hdd), windows installed on ssd. Veracrypt installed. The system disk ssd is encrypted. hdd is encrypted as a container. When the hdd was unmounted, I accidentally ran the disk erase function with CCleaner. After a few seconds, I saw this and stopped CCleaner. During this time, the program removed about 1% of the HDD. After that I tried to mount the disk in veracrypt, but the program says "wrong password or other parameters". Tell me how to restore this cryptocontainer? Please help, there were a lot of valuable family photos and videos on the HDD.
You can scan your files with the free version of Hetman Partition Recovery. It will show you the files it can find to recover. The preview window will show you whether your files are corrupted or not. If all is well, you will be able to log in and recover your files
First time using veracrypt and I think I've created a big issue for myself. I started moving all of my important files and folders into the new encrypted drive. I used keyfiles and subsequently moved the folder with the keyfile into my encrypted drive....Does this mean I cannot recover any of my documents now because I cant access the keyfile to be able to unlock the encryption?
Without the unlock password, the data on the drive will be encrypted and cannot be recovered.
I accedently deleted my veracrypt container 3-4 days ago. Is it recoverable?? And how? Please help.
Windows deleted my truecrypt container. I've tried finding it with Easeus Data Recovery but I'm unable to. It just happened to day. Can hetman recovery find it? I know the exact file name. It's a pretty big file as well.
Download and install the program, then follow the file recovery guide.
Hi, I'm unable to access the USB (encrypted via Truecrypt application) drive and getting below error. It allows me to mount the USB disk volume under trucrypt and assigned the drive letter however when I click on drive letter (e.g. V drive) and it show below error. ****** V:\ is not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognized file system. Please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupted. ****** Please advice. Thanks!
Press Win + R at the same time, type in services.msc, tap Enter. The local service page will be opened. Then double click Properties once you find BitLocker Encryption Service. Change the Boot, Type into AUTO and click OK. Finally, you need to reboot BitLocker Drive Encryption Service.And email us again if the problem persists
What is a rainbow table, and how can it be used to crack a password?
A rainbow table is a pre-computed table of hashes and plaintext passwords used to crack passwords. It contains a list of plaintext passwords and their corresponding hashes, which can be used to quickly look up the corresponding plaintext password for a given hash. This makes it easier to crack passwords, as all the user has to do is look up the hash in the rainbow table to find the corresponding plaintext password.
What is a dictionary attack, and how does it differ from a brute-force attack?
A dictionary attack is a type of cyber attack that uses a predefined list of words and phrases to attempt to gain access to a secure system. It is different from a brute-force attack in that it uses a predetermined list of words and phrases, rather than randomly generated strings of characters. Dictionary attacks are typically faster than brute-force attacks, but they are also easier to detect and prevent.
How can you recover data from a TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt disk using a brute-force attack?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to recover data from a TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt disk using a brute-force attack. This is because these encryption programs use strong encryption algorithms that make it impossible to decrypt the data without the correct password or key.
What is a keyfile, and how can it be used to recover data from an encrypted disk?
A keyfile is a file that contains a secret key used to decrypt an encrypted disk. It can be used in combination with a password to gain access to the encrypted data. The keyfile can be stored on a separate device or on a cloud storage service, and can be used to unlock the data if the user forgets their password.
Can you recover data from an encrypted disk if the volume header is damaged or corrupted?
No, it is not possible to recover data from an encrypted disk if the volume header is damaged or corrupted. In this case, the only way to recover data is to use a backup or restore from a previous version.
If you have any questions on how to restore files from a disk encrypted with TrueCrypt or VeraCrypt, leave a comment to ask us.