So I've been testing out the feature that allows one to encrypt a USB (external) drive...
Now my question today is how does one un-encrypts it?
I've been seaching the internet for an anwser for a few hours now but havent found anything... when I try to Erase, Partiton the device in DiskUtilites it get the following screen shoots (error and greyed out buttons).
Please help - Thanks.
#Encrypt #Unencrypt #USB #External #Disk_Utilites #Lion #10.7
How did you encrypt it, what did you use?
Whatever you used to set the drive as encrypted use that to un-encrypt.
I used Disk Utilites to Encrypt it - no option to de/un-encrypt.
Carbon Copy Cloner might be able to do it. It has a new feature, Window Menu>Disk Center.
from
http://help.bombich.com/kb/advanced-strategies/the-disk-center
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Disable encryption on a volume
Encryption can be disabled on any volume that is CoreStorage encrypted, and not currently in the process of converting to an encrypted volume. To disable CoreStorage encryption on a volume, click on the volume, then click on the "Disable encryption on (volume name)" button in the Encryption tab. CCC will prompt you to provide your encryption password for the volume, then will begin the process of converting the disk to an unencrypted volume. Note that the decryption process will also take a considerable amount of time, and cannot be cancelled. You can continue to use and access the volume during the decryption process, and you do not need to have CCC open for the process to continue.
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Ok unMount the drive and disconnect it from the computer. Wait a second or 2 and then reconnect it, you will be prompted for the password you set. Type in the password. Open disk utility and select the DRIVE, not the partition. Click the Erase Tab. Set the format to Mac Extended (Journaled) without Encryption. Type a name or accept untitled and click Erase.
found the anwser, but thank you very much for your help and input everyone!
Well that may work but if you follow my instructions it does it also. that link is for FileVault 2 encryption. All you did was set a password on that USB drive.
I just did that then removed it without having to go through any of the thinks lis in that link.
Update:
Link doesn't work, returns back with a Generic error.
I've now tried your way Shootist007, after pressing the Erase button nothing happen, the Disk Utilite window on the erase tab has all greyed out buttons.
/Sign
Tried it on another Mac and it's all working now... gezz.
Thanks though all.
Then your first screen shot where is says Disk Encryption Failed is when you TRIED to Encrypt that disk and it didn't work?
If so then it is not encrypted.
Did it every prompt you to enter a password?
If after you Unmounted the drive and then disconnected it then Reconnected it did it prompt you for a password. If not then it isn't encrypted.
This is what you get after you select Encrypted in the format list
Then this is the drive Encrypted
This is the Windows you get when you disconnect THEN Reconnect the drive. you are prompted for a Password to access the drive.
If you never typed in a Password and didn't get a Prompt for that password when reconnecting the drive then the drive is not encrypted. If the encryption failed, as your first screen shot suggests, then it is not encrypted and more then likely that USB thumb drive is bad. It should be thrown in the Garbage.
Yes thank you it was encrypted.
Un-encrypt USB drive
