decrypt a usb flash drive

Hi,


using EL CAP...


I right click on the usb flash drive and then I did encrypt a usb 3.0 flash drive - then ejected and re-inserted it - all works well


BUT now I want to decrypt the flash drive - I see no way to do that...


when I right click - It just says ENCRYPT - NOT DECRYPT


Also I see no choices in disk utility


Q: How so I decrypt this flash drive?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Jul 15, 2017 11:37 AM

Reply
6 replies

Jul 17, 2017 1:24 PM in response to revDAVE

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.


Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.


Isolating an issue by using another user account


If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.


Safe Mode - About El Capitan
also Sierra


Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra


If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

Jul 19, 2017 3:04 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks so much Eric - those are all good ideas - and I will try them soon.


Something else I noticed: a day later I put the flash back in and still didn't see the decrypt choice.


Then I added 1.5 gigs of data to the flash - and it then said "encrypting" ....


So I waited 5 or 6 more hours and it still says encrypting (and the flash light is pulsing the whole time)


so maybe it will say decrypt after it's done?


this is a medial fast usb 3.0 flash drive


really this long? how long does encrypting a few gigs take?

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decrypt a usb flash drive

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