Un encrypting a 2TB drive with Mohave

I am configuring a new hard drive for time machine. Encrypting was taking so long I decided to go without. I entered my PW as required to unencrypt. But then comes the error message:

"Unable to modify a FileVault context."

Is it possible to turn encryption off? Or does the drive need to be completely encrypted before encryption is turned off?

ps: this is a late 2014 Mac Mini, which was not a choice on the menu.

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Jul 28, 2019 2:56 PM

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1 reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,084 points

Jul 31, 2019 5:03 AM in response to brucecory

If there is nothing on the drive, you can reformat it to stop the encryption. But, a blank drive should encrypt almost immediately.

When you format it, use the Encryption option and it should encrypt rather quickly.

If there is something on it, then you have to wait, as far as I know.

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Un encrypting a 2TB drive with Mohave

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