Restore Protected NTFS Files: Recovery Tips

Recovering protected and encrypted NTFS files can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible! In this article, we delve into the complexity of this challenge and unveil effective strategies for success. Whether your files are safeguarded with passwords or encryption, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to decipher the complexity and recover your valuable data!

Restore Protected NTFS Files: Recovery Tips

This is Part I of the article “Recovering Compressed, Protected and Encrypted NTFS Files” covering NTFS access control rights and on-the-fly encryption. The second part will discuss the ability to recover NTFS compressed files.

NTFS Access Control Rights

NTFS introduced a new feature allowing the operating system to control who can and who cannot access a given file, folder or disk. The feature uses file system attribute known as ACL (Access Control List) to allow or disallow certain activities such as the ability to read, write or create files, list the content of a folder, or change file permissions.

User permission

As many files belong to different users, including the operating system itself, strict obedience to permissions set in the access control list would restrict system administrators from being able to recover users’ files, or at least slow down the process significantly. For this reason, pretty much data recovery algorithm will ignore file access permissions by reading the disk directly, bypassing the high-level API of the file system. Effectively, NTFS access control lists are nothing to worry about when recovering information – if you have administrative rights on a given PC.

NTFS File Encryption

NTFS file encryption adds an extra layer of security. Not to be mistaken with access control rights, the encryption will actually alter the contents of the files, encrypting them with a strong encryption key derived from the user’s Windows account password.

NTFS encryption works differently compared to access control rights management. It is impossible and plain inefficient to recover such files in the direct disk access mode, even if their details are available in the MFT (Master File Table). While you can still read files “locked” with ACL attributes on another PC by simply changing or bypassing the attributes, encrypted files cannot be accessed as easily even if you have low-level access to the original disk. If you don’t know the exact password, you won’t be able to decrypt the content of encrypted files, which makes them effectively unusable. Note, however, that this only applies to situations when you are trying to recover somebody else’s files without knowing the original Windows account password. If you do know the password, you can read the encrypted files even on another PC.

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Recovering NTFS Encrypted Files

NTFS-encrypted files must be accessed via Windows API’s, which basically means no low-level disk access in raw mode. The inability of data recovery tools to use raw disk access puts numerous restrictions on recoverability of NTFS-encrypted files. However, the recovery is still possible if you choose the right tool.

Tools and Limitations

Some of the more advanced NTFS recovery tools will correctly detect and process encrypted files – provided that the files were encrypted by the same Windows account you are logged in at the time of recovery, or at least if you know the original account password. The “how-to” tutorial on accessing NTFS-encrypted files from another PC is out of the scope of this article, so let’s just put a note that it is possible.

The recovery of NTFS-encrypted files carries certain restrictions and limitations, making the ability of a given tool to recover a given file under given circumstances a case-by-case issue.

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The program for recovering data from NTFS after formatting partition or deleting files.
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NTFS volume recovery tools such as Hetman NTFS Recovery will be able to detect and recover encrypted files under certain conditions. Knowing the right password is essential, but it’s not enough. Hetman NTFS Recovery will need to use high-level Windows API’s to read encrypted files (as opposed to using direct disk access in raw mode). Thus the recovery of encrypted files will depend on whether or not Windows disk API is still able to read the file. For example, undeleting encrypted files located on a healthy disk is no different to undeleting any other type of file. Recovering NTFS-encrypted files from formatted NTFS disks is iffy, but generally still possible. If the file system is badly damaged, the chances of correctly recovering NTFS-encrypted files are much lower than those for non-encrypted ones. However, it’s always worth a try to see if your files in your situation are actually recoverable.

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This article describes the methods of recovering protected and encrypted files. The next article explains the process of recovering files and folders compressed using standard NTSF means.

Oleg Afonin

Author: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Vladimir Artiukh

Editor: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the NTFS file system and how is it used in Windows operating systems?

    NTFS (New Technology File System) is a proprietary file system developed by Microsoft for use on Windows operating systems. It is the default file system for Windows NT-based operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT. NTFS offers several features that are not available in the FAT file system, including support for larger volumes, better security, improved reliability, and more efficient storage of data. NTFS also supports compression and encryption of files and folders, as well as disk quotas and disk shadowing.

  • Can compressed and encrypted NTFS files be recovered? If so, what is the process?

    Yes, compressed and encrypted NTFS files can be recovered. The process involves using a specialized data recovery tool to scan the drive for any recoverable files. The tool will then attempt to extract the files and decrypt them. Depending on the type of encryption used, the files may need to be decrypted manually.

  • Are there any limitations or challenges to recovering compressed and encrypted NTFS files?

    Yes, there are several limitations and challenges to recovering compressed and encrypted NTFS files. Compressed files can be difficult to recover because the data is stored in a highly compressed format that is not easily readable by data recovery tools. Encrypted files are even more challenging to recover because the encryption algorithm must be known in order to decrypt the data. Additionally, some encryption algorithms are more secure than others, making it even more difficult to recover the data. Finally, NTFS is a complex file system, so it can be difficult to locate and identify the files that need to be recovered.

  • How does compression and encryption affect the recovery process of NTFS files?

    Compression and encryption can both have a significant impact on the recovery process of NTFS files. Compression reduces the size of a file, making it more difficult to recover. Encryption makes it virtually impossible to recover the original file without the encryption key. Both compression and encryption can make the recovery process more difficult and time-consuming. If a file is compressed or encrypted, specialized software may be needed to properly recover the data.

  • What tools or software can be used to recover compressed and encrypted NTFS files?

    There are several tools and software that can be used to recover compressed and encrypted NTFS files, including:

    • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
    • Active@ File Recovery
    • Recover My Files
    • TestDisk
    • iCare Data Recovery
    • PC Inspector File Recovery
    • Stellar Data Recovery Professional
    • GetDataBack for NTFS
    • Disk Drill
    • Recuva

Comments (15)

  • Devjyoti
    Devjyoti 1.08.2021 01:12 #
    Can anyone please help me decrypt files encrypted by .aeur. PLZ HELP...
    Reply
  • w loader windows
    w loader windows 21.12.2019 13:24 #
    Generally I don't learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.
    Reply
  • Dean
    Dean 21.06.2016 13:54 #
    Hello everyone! I would like to start discussion on this platform. At the beginning of my review I thank to all developers of this program. It is important to ensure the protection of my information and files. This article so useful because in this one describes the different types of methods of recovering protected and encrypted files. In this article so interesting and clear says about access control rights and new level of security. So, thanks a lot and good luck! P.s. It will be interesting to read comments from next commentators about Recovering Protected and Encrypted NTFS Files.
    Reply
  • Shahaf Dodgson
    Shahaf Dodgson 30.10.2012 02:25 #
    Are there any alternatives to NTFS file system that may provide better data recovery options?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 30.10.2012 02:58 #

      Yes, there are several alternatives to NTFS file system that may provide better data recovery options. These include:

      • exFAT: This is a Microsoft-developed file system that is designed to provide better compatibility with flash drives and other external storage devices. It is also more efficient than NTFS and can be used to store large files.
      • HFS+: This is an Apple-developed file system that is used in Mac OS X and iOS. It is optimized for use on Macs and is more resilient to data loss than NTFS.
      • ext4: This is a Linux-based file system that is designed for use on Linux-based operating systems. It is more reliable than NTFS and provides better data recovery options.
      • ReFS: This is a Microsoft-developed file system that is designed for use on Windows Servers. It is more resilient to data loss than NTFS and provides better data recovery options.
      Reply
  • Maurice Kimbro
    Maurice Kimbro 29.10.2012 23:08 #
    Can data recovery be done on an NTFS file system that has been formatted or re-partitioned?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.10.2012 23:42 #
      Yes, data recovery can be done on an NTFS file system that has been formatted or re-partitioned. Depending on the extent of the damage, data recovery software may be able to recover some or all of the data that was stored on the partition.
      Reply
  • Jeffery Haig
    Jeffery Haig 29.10.2012 20:15 #
    What are some best practices for preventing the loss of compressed and encrypted NTFS files in the first place?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.10.2012 20:34 #
      • Regularly back up your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
      • Use strong passwords for encrypting your files and change them regularly.
      • Use a reliable anti-virus software to detect and remove malicious software.
      • Make sure your computer is always up to date with the latest security patches.
      • Use an encryption tool such as BitLocker to encrypt sensitive data.
      • Disable autorun features on USB drives.
      • Enable two-factor authentication for accessing your data remotely.
      • Use a firewall to protect your network from malicious traffic.
      • Use a secure file transfer protocol (SFTP) to transfer files over the internet.
      • Ensure that only authorized users have access to your data.
      Reply
  • Owen Blanton
    Owen Blanton 29.10.2012 16:21 #
    Is it possible to recover specific files or folders within a compressed and encrypted NTFS file system?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.10.2012 16:44 #
      Yes, it is possible to recover specific files or folders within a compressed and encrypted NTFS file system. However, the process is more complicated than recovering files from an uncompressed and unencrypted file system. To do so, you will need specialized software that can decrypt and decompress the data, as well as a valid encryption key.
      Reply
  • Oscar Arkwright
    Oscar Arkwright 29.10.2012 13:29 #
    Are there any risks or potential data loss when attempting to recover compressed and encrypted NTFS files?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.10.2012 13:47 #
      Yes, there are risks and potential data loss when attempting to recover compressed and encrypted NTFS files. Depending on the type of encryption used, the data may be permanently inaccessible if the correct encryption key or passphrase is not provided. Additionally, the recovery process can cause data corruption or loss if it is not done properly.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 27.04.2018 10:39 #
    Read about recovering protected and encrypted NTFS files. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
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