Photos and images on my USB are encrypted :(

Hello! It's my first time here, and I speak Spanish, maybe I'm wrong about something because I'm with the help of the translator.

About 2-3 years ago I downloaded many photos and videos from Google Photos to the PC and from there I transferred everything to a USB distributed in 6 different folders.

The fact is that I must have touched something when I did it, because these folders have been encrypted (they appear with a little lock) and if I access them and try to open any photo or video it says: "It seems that you do not have permission to view this file. Check permissions and try again."

And if I go to its "Properties" and click on "Advanced", a box appears checked that I cannot uncheck that says "Encrypt content to protect data".

And if I click on "Details" next to it, it says "Users who can have access to this file: Alex(Alex@Segismundo)" and I no longer have access to that user because on that PC I made some factory settings and then it is impossible to access it from the same single user who has access.

Removed email address - Hamluis.

It's not an email address! - Alex

I spoke with Microsoft and they basically told me that I have to seek help, that they do not take care of things external to their operating system.
 

Thank you very much and I await your answers and I hope I can solve it.

Edited by imAlex04, Yesterday, 05:39 AM.
Removed email - Hamluis.

Copy a few files from the USB to the PC you copied them from. Do they open? If not then I'm afraid you are out of luck and will not be able to decrypt the files unless you backed up the certificate.

See #2 in the below link. It mentions Windows 11 but it's also valid for Windows 10.

https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=faq-Windows-11&faq=118#S3

Copy a few files from the USB to the PC you copied them from. Do they open? If not then I'm afraid you are out of luck and will not be able to decrypt the files unless you backed up the certificate.

 

See #2 in the below link. It mentions Windows 11 but it's also valid for Windows 10.

 

https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=faq-Windows-11&faq=118#S3

I tried it the other day but it says: "You will need to provide Administrator permissions to perform this action."

Then I click "Continue" to give admin permissions and it says:

"Access denied to the file. You need permissions to perform this action.  Everyone permissions are required to make changes to this file."

I'm going to see the link you indicated. Thank you!

Edited by imAlex04, 04 March 2024 - 05:54 PM.

You can enable the hidden Administrator account that has higher permissions than a regular admin account.

You will need to use method 2 if you don't have Windows Pro

https://windowsloop.com/enable-hidden-administrator-account-windows-10/