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Summary: This article will instruct you on how to retrieve data from a formatted BitLocker-encrypted hard drive if you unintentionally formatted one. For the purpose of recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive and recovering destroyed files or missing partitions from BitLocker-encrypted hard drives, professional software called “BLR BitLocker Data Recovery” is available.

On sometimes, formatting the encrypted hard drive causes data loss. Recovery of the deleted data may be challenging after formatting the hard drive. In this article, we’ll discuss how to recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive that have been formatted.

To secure data from illegal access, Microsoft provides the BitLocker encryption function for Windows. A hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card’s files and folders are encrypted when BitLocker is enabled.

Numbers of Justifications for Formatting a BitLocker-encrypted hard drive

There are several potential justifications for the formatting of BitLocker-encrypted hard drives and recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive.

• Unintentional Formatting: On certain occasions, during the attempt to format a different disk, there is a possibility of inadvertently formatting the disk that contains crucial data.
• The loss of data access occurs when the file system on a drive transitions to a RAW state. In this particular scenario, the sole resolution is to initiate the process of formatting the disk. However, it is important to note that the use of formatting techniques can potentially result in the inadvertent loss of data.
• Viral Intrusion: In the event of a viral infiltration on one’s hard disk, the data contained within may incur damage or become unattainable. In the given scenario, it is possible for the computer’s antivirus or firewall to impede the disk’s functionality, hence necessitating the formatting process. In instances of this nature, it is possible for the Windows firewall to eliminate the metadata associated with BitLocker, hence leading to the loss of data.

How to Decrypt a Hard Drive Locked by BitLocker – Encrypted and Formatted

Here are the ways to stop BitLocker encryption from working:

Using the BitLocker Drive Encryption Feature is the first way.

Follow these steps to unlock a drive that has been protected by BitLocker:

• Go to where it says “Start.”
• Click on Control Panel.
• System and Security are the options.
• Choose Drive Encryption with BitLocker.
• Click Drive Decrypt. (Selecting this option will immediately unlock the drive you chose.)

Method 2: Use certificates to decrypt

To utilize certificates to unlock a BitLocker-locked drive, adhere to these steps:

[Note: You need the hard drive’s license in order to do this.]

• Get started.
• Enter certmgr.msc and hit the Enter key.
• Open Certificate Manager by clicking on it.
• Pick a folder for yourself.
• Select “Action” > “All Tasks” >
• Follow the instructions given by the Certificate Import Wizard and the screen.

Method 3 – Using Windows GUI Mode

To disable BitLocker encryption, adhere to the methods listed below.

[Note: Make sure you have administrator rights in order to turn off BitLocker encryption.]

• Select BitLocker Drive Encryption under Start > Control Panel > System and Security.
• Click Turn Off BitLocker next to the BitLocker-encrypted drive after finding it.
• The drive will be decrypted, and a notification informing the user of this will be shown. To continue and disable BitLocker on the drive, click Turn off BitLocker/Decrypt the drive.

The drive’s encryption may need to be broken and BitLocker security removed, which could take some time.

Decryption using Windows PowerShell Mode, method four

Windows PowerShell must be installed on your machine in order to disable BitLocker encryption using Windows PowerShell mode. If it isn’t, get the supported Windows PowerShell version from the Microsoft website and install it. then take the following actions:

[Note: The cmdlet to turn off BitLocker encryption won’t function if the partition containing the operating system has any automatic unlocking keys. To disable BitLocker for the partition, use the PowerShell window’s Clear-BitLockerAutoUnlock cmdlet to eliminate all automatic unlocking keys.]

1. In administrator mode, start PowerShell.
2. Put these commands into action:

• PS C:\>$BLV = Get-BitLockerVolume
• PS C:\>Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint $BLV

Use the following commands to determine the decryption’s status:

• Execute the command: PS C:\> Get-BitLockerVolume
• Check decryption progress in “Volume Status” and “Encryption Percentage”

Data Recovery from BitLocker Drive that Was Formatted

Use trustworthy data recovery software, such as “BLR.” Professionals can retrieve data from a drive that has been formatted and encrypted with BitLocker using this service. From BitLocker-encrypted storage devices, the software can assist in recovering lost, erased, and inaccessible data. With the aid of BLR BitLocker Recovery Tool for data recovery software, you can retrieve any file type from a storage device that is password- or encrypted-protected.

Follow these methods to recover data from a formatted hard drive using Windows Data Recovery software:

• Install and run the BLR Data Recovery Professional application.
• Select the file type you wish to recover on the “Select What to Recover” interface. Select Next.
• On the “Recover From” interface, choose the type of device from which recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive.
• Select a BitLocker-encrypted Windows volume. Select Scan.

[Note: The application will request a BitLocker password. Enter the password to scan and gain access to the drive. If you forget your BitLocker password, you will be unable to recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive and storage media.

• Once the scan is complete, the data can be previewed. Then, choose the files you wish to restore.
• Choose a location to save the selected files by clicking Browse. (An external hard drive should be used to store recovered data.)

Additionally, click here to learn how to recover free data from a formatted hard drive.

• Click Save to save the recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive.

BitLocker Hard Drive Decryption Recovery Services

Choose a professional data recovery services provider, such as BLR, if you want experts to handle your data recovery for you. BLR BitLocker Data Recovery possesses the necessary skills and infrastructure to handle a variety of data loss scenarios.

BLR Data Recovery Service has effectively recovered data from all types of encrypted hard drives throughout the years. For instance, BLR data care specialists recovered data from a formatted and physically damaged encrypted hard drive.

Experts at BLR evaluate the afflicted hard drive prior to initiating the data recovery procedure. To extract lost data from a formatted BitLocker-encrypted hard drive, they follow the steps outlined below:

• The drive is examined to determine its operational status.
• Then, a hard drive image is created in case it contains faulty sectors.
• Enter the BitLocker password to decrypt the drive.
• It is then followed by a drive partition examination. The scan assists in correcting errors.
• After this, every file and folder on the drive is made accessible and inspected for irregularities.
• Complete data verification concludes the data recovery procedure to recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive.

[Note: An encryption key/password is required to decrypt the storage device for data recovery.]

The conclusion

This blog explains how to recover formatted BitLocker encrypted hard drive and how to recover expunged files lost as a result of formatting a BitLocker-encrypted disk. Using professional data recovery software, such as BLR Data Recovery Tool, is the ideal method for recovering data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive.

If the hard drive is physically damaged, it is advised to contact a professional data recovery service provider with expertise and experience in handling all types of data loss scenarios.