File Vault erase?

When you turn on File Vault on and it erases your files to be copied and encrypted, does files you previously erase get copied to the encrpted new files?

No, if you deleted them previously, File Vault won't touch them; they are already gone. But if you are concerned that the file might still have residual data on the drive, then yes, it might be possible for someone to use a data recovery program to read parts of the disk and find files that were erased before File Vault was turned on.

Similar Messages

  • Do I need to turn off File Vault before I erase a hard drive?

    I have a File Vault 2 password set up on my Mac, in addition to a firmware password.  I'm selling the computer, and I want to make sure everything is wiped out.
    I know how to turn off the firmware password.  However, I was wondering if I need to turn off file vault 2 before I start up the OS in recovery mode, at which point I will erase the hard drive using the 7-pass delete option in disk utility. Or do I not have to worry about that, and go ahead and boot up on the internal system HD in recovery mode to delete the HD entirely, without turning off File Vault first?
    Thanks for the help,
    Eric

    Boot from the installation disc that came with the computer and repartition the internal drive with the default options. Then install the original OS.

  • Problem: securely erasing home folder after enabling file vault

    I enabled file vault. It took 4 days (125 GB) to "securely erase home folder", then when it finally reached 100% I got an error message that it could not be erased after all. I also now got an icon on the desktop (protected house) showing my home folder. Anybody experience with this? What do I do to securely erase? What can I do to speed it up? I have 4GB RAM and a HD of 500GB

    open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
    At the prompt type:
    diskutil secureErase freespace 0 /
    (press return)
    This will secure erase free space on your boot volume.
    Level "0" (zero) is a Single-pass zero-fill erase. Levels 0 through 4 are supported.
    Here is a full description of the different erase levels: 0 - Single-pass zero-fill erase.
    A. 1 - Single-pass random-fill erase.
    B. 2 - US DoD 7-pass secure erase.
    C. 3 - Gutmann algorithm 35-pass secure erase.
    D. 4 - US DoE algorithm 3-pass secure erase.
    for more info (in Terminal) type:
    man diskutil
    (press return)
    This should take considerably less time than 4 days. On my Mac Pro with 162GB boot volume,
    130GB free (I keep my data on a different volume) it takes about 10 minutes using level "0".
    Disk Free Space Warnings are normal during operation and can be ignored.
    more info about it from apple support:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002
    You can invoke the erase procedure from Disk Utility GUI interface, but it usually is quicker
    when run from terminal.
    Kj ♘

  • How to kill secure erase after turning on File Vault?

    I turned on file vault on my MacBook with OS 10.6.4 and selected the secure erase option for the resulting empty space. The File Vault encryption process completed fairly quickly, but the secure erase has carried on for 48 hours and I'm just at 26% complete as per the security pane of System Preferences.
    I'd like to stop the secure erase process. It seems like overkill, and as this computer (and the hard disk) are 4+ years old, I'm thinking the wear and tear on the drive is more than is necessary.
    I've tried killing the secure erase process ("sudo kill -9 ...") but the process re-spawns.
    My question: is there a safe way to stop the secure erase process after turning on File Vault? (I am fully backed up with Time Machine if that makes any difference.)

    Ah-HA! OK, I've fixed the problem the right way now instead of the ugly method of renaming secure_erase, which was admittedly a hack until I had more time to look at things.
    The queue for secure_erase is stored in /var/db/fvsecureerase.jobs/ - you need to cd into that directory and look for the files there, and remove them. By deleting the numbered job, you will remove it from the secure_erase queue.
    HOWEVER, please look at the files first and then manually delete the file path listed, otherwise you will leave those to-be-destroyed files UNDELETED. This is probably NOT what you want. What happens is that secure_erase moves the "original" files into a new directory (in my case the file was named /Users/jtodd.10307331336706142097) and then secure_erase does it's magic on that directory and wipes out each file in a tedious, secure way. If you made a mistake and don't want to wait the 20 days for it to finish the tedious method, you can just "rm" it the old fashioned way. I typically pipe "yes" into the "rm -R" command since there are a lot of strange permissions things that rm asks about and I would otherwise spend an hour hitting "y" on every file about which it uncertain - hooray for UNIX pipes! For instance, this is a what I did (again, as root):
    sh-3.2# cd /var/db/fvsecureerase.jobs
    sh-3.2# ls -lsa
    total 8
    0 drwx------ 3 root admin 102 Nov 12 11:44 .
    0 drwxr-xr-x 51 root wheel 1734 Nov 12 11:44 ..
    8 -rw-r--r--@ 1 root admin 33 Nov 10 13:53 501
    sh-3.2# cat 501
    /Users/jtodd.10307331336706142097
    sh-3.2# rm 501
    sh-3.2# yes|rm -R /Users/jtodd.10307331336706142097

  • Recovery Partition mandatory for File Vault and unencrypted TM Backup?

    I recently had to setup my Macbook Pro from scratch meaning erasing the whole disk and start from there.
    The update to Lion took already place a while ago and I had File Vault active. After making a last backup using
    TM I erased the disk and all partitions including Recovery partition and used the Leopard system DVD to boot
    the machine.
    From there I used the restore function to restore my TM backup to the MacBook. However, as the drive was
    not partioned and not formated, I had to do this manually. Apparently, the recovery process via TM does not include
    that. After system recovery, I booted from the Macbook and all apps and configuration seemed ok.
    I was a little surprised to see that I was able to do this recovery without being asked for ID and password of the user's File Vault access
    or the File Vault recovery key. All I needed was the TM ID and password (which is different from the owners ID and password)
    I am not sure if this is supposed to work like this but I looks rather easy to gain access to application an data of another user if that
    is all it takes?
    Now booting Lion again, I checked File Vault and noticed it was disabled although it was enabled for quite a while and long time
    before I took the latest backup. I could not turn it on, after providing a recovery key and asking me wether I wanted to write it down
    or safe it with Apple which I declined I wanted to reboot the notebook to start encryption but stopped saying my partition or volume
    would not support File Vault. This was GUID and MacOS Extended Journal partition and volume which to my knowledge would
    certainly support File Vault. In fact this is basically what I had before when File Vault was turned on and running.
    I called Apple support a few times. The second agent told me that it does not work because there is not recovery partition on my
    system but there was when I took the latest backup and I do have other means to get the recovery screen. Anyway it seems that
    File Vault required a local Recovery partition and I was wondering if anyone can tell me why this dependency exist. If I write down the
    recovery key, why would I need it to be stored on my disk as well?
    Also, if anyone has an idea if there is a way of creating a local recovery partition without having to go through the lenghty process of installing
    Leopard then upgrade to Lion and install all the apps and configure the OS again, would be great? I assume when I am back on Lion and use the TM
    backup for recovery, I probably end up with having the Recovery partition deleted and start from scratch again.
    I am a little concerned about the fact that it seems so easy to gain access to a protected backup and that the TM restore process does not include
    restoring partition and volumes as well. Who knows how many other dependencies exist and users have to reinstall their system again after recovery.
    I was following the recovery instruction of Apple but perhaps someone knows a better way to do this?

    Just an update, I went ahead and installed Lion again over the existing TM restored installation using the Lion Update file and at least File Vault is working. Interestingly, I still do not have a Recover partition so obviously something new for Apple Support to learn.

  • Recovery HD partition disappears when I install Mavericks. File Vault 2 can't be turned on.

    Hi folks,
    I've run into this issue and repeated internet searches don't turn up anyone else having the same problem.
    Until a couple of days ago, I've had the most recent version of Mountain Lion installed with File Vault 2 turned on. Everything has been fine.
    I did a clean install of Mavericks, and everything went fine with the install. During the post-install set up, I get a window saying that I used to have FV2 turned on, and that to do so again requires me turning it on in System Preferences. So I try to do that, but then I get a message saying that "some disk formats do not support the recovery partion that needs to be created...".
    So I look (using both diskutil list and enabling the debug menu in Disk Utility) and see that the Recovery HD is gone. I don't know how to recreate it and don't understand the command line partitioning well enough to try it, so I try again with Mavericks, doing it the long way:
    I do a clean install of Lion.
    Boot up into Lion, and verify that the Recovery HD partition was created. It was.
    Boot up from the Mavericks bootable USB I made, erase just the main partition I intend to install Mavericks on (again, I see Recovery HD exists).
    Install Mavericks.
    Boot up from the internal HD Mavericks, get the same note about turning on FV2 manually, and try to do so.
    It fails again. I use diskutil and Disk Utility with the debug menu, and sure enough Recovery HD is gone and I cannot turn on FV2.
    Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? I feel like this would be a more widely discussed issue if this were a pure Mavericks issue. But Apple is not giving us a lot of support for doing clean installs (all instructions I find are on tech nerd blogs), so I'm lost about where to begin.
    Thanks for your help.
    It is Thu Oct 24 08:32:28 MDT 2013.
    < Thu 8:32am ~ > diskutil list
    /dev/disk0
       #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
       0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *500.1 GB   disk0
       1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk0s1
       2:                  Apple_HFS Tesla                   499.2 GB   disk0s2

    FWIW, I did a clean install of Mavericks with a bootable USB drive, which I created following the instructions in this link:
    http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/10/22/perform-clean-install-os-x-mavericks/
    The short method did not work. I succeeded with the longer method.
    Mavericks installed without a hitch, after which I spent hours customizing settings, clean installing applications and restoring data from my prior Mountain Lion backup. No problems at all, just very time consuming.
    However, I could not activate "Find my Mac" because the installer had not created a a Recovery HD. I trawled the forums and was discouraged by the apparent complexity of creating one.
    This is what I did, which worked perfectly and required very little attention. It is almost automatic, fail proof and done in under an hour (with a fast internet connection to download Mavericks at just over 5GB).
    1.- Back up the system. Better still, clone your system to an external HD using Carbon Copy Cloner.
    2.- Download Mavericks from the App Store.
    3.- It will warn you that you already have 10.9 installed. Download anyway.
    4.- When it finishes downloading you'll get a window prompting you to install. Confirm.
    5.- Enter your user password when prompted.
    6.- Go for a walk. In about 45 min your system will have restarted Mavericks and all your settings, applications and data will be there.
    7.- Check that you now have a Recovery HD by restarting the system, holding the Option key down when you hear the startup gong. You'll (hopefully) see the system HD and the Recovery HD (10.9).
    Hope this will help someone.

  • File Vault issues.  How can I turn it off?

    After reading all about the issues people have been having with File Vault and because the constant encrypting-decrypting is slowing down my computer, I decided to turn File Vault off.
    There's just one problem. I can't. Every time I try to turn off File Vault, the computer logs off, starts the operation, then I get the following error message:
    "An error occurred during decryption ( An error occurred during copying ), FileVault will be turned on for this home folder and the home folder will still be encrypted."
    In seeing explanations in other discussions regarding File Vault, the first thing I noticed was that I may not have had enough space to do the decryption, so I got an external hard drive, copied the contents of each of the folders inside my encrypted hard drive to the external drive (thus decrypting them), then deleted them from the internal hard drive. Then I shut the computer down to allow File Vault to re-claim the disk space. I was ultimately able to bring the free space on my hard drive to about 195 GB, with only about 35 GB in use. I continued to get the error.
    Next, I repaired permissions, then verified the disk. I found a volume structure error which could not be repaired by Disk Utility, but I had Disk Warrior, which had no problem repairing it. Unfortunately, I still get the error when trying to turn File Vault off.
    At this point, it is pretty safe to assume that the initial Volume Structure error caused the File Vault decryption error, and repairing it will not fix the issue. From continued reading, it would seem the next course of action is to completely back up my home folder, install the OS fresh, then manually import the data. Is there an easy way to do this? I have a lot of installed applications and settings that I don't want to go through the trouble of re-installing and re-setting.
    Would it work if I set up a new user account, manually migrated the data copied to the external drive, tested to see if the new user account was working, then deleted the encrypted one?
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Would it work if I set up a new user account, manually migrated the data copied to the external drive, tested to see if the new user account was working, then deleted the encrypted one
    I think that's worth trying first - you could always fall back on the OS erase and install if it doesn't work out.
    I would do a GetInfo on the external drive and check the Ignore Ownership box at the bottom, in order to avoid any permission problems when copying back.

  • Install new hard drive, restore from Time Machine, File Vault Problems

    Hello all,
    I spent way too much time on this seemingly simple task, so I thought I would share my experience with others so they can avoid some pitfalls when upgrading a hard drive in a system that uses File Vault 2 encryption. The basic goal here is to replace a drive in a system that has only one drive, and the OS is Mavericks, and then have the new drive encrypted as before.
    The problem is that a Time Machine restore onto a new drive will leave that without a Recovery Partition, which is required for File Vault 2 and some other important things. So we need to build a recovery partition. There are possibly several ways to do this.
    Here's what worked for me (this is compiled from many sources that I found and already closed the tabs in my browser so I can't list all my sources):
    1) Make a full backup to an external hard drive using Time Machine.
    2) Go into the App Store and download OS X Mavericks but dont install it (close the window when it pops up asking to continue the install). Do this even if you already have Mavericks. At this point, there will be a folder in your Applications folder called Install OS X Mavericks (or similar).
    3) Insert a USB drive that is at least 8 GB and format it using Disk Utility, naming it the default "Untitled".
    4) Open a terminal and type
    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app --nointeraction
    5) Wait for this to finish (took me about 30 min). Eject the USB drive and power down.
    6) Remove the old hard drive and set it aside. Keep it for a few weeks until you know the new drive is working as expected.
    7) Install the new hard drive and insert the USB drive. Hold the option key and press the power button. Choose to boot from the USB installer.
    8) Use the disk utility to erase whatever partition shipped with the new drive, replacing it with a Mac OS Extended (Journaled) system. Verify that GUID is the partition type (in Advanced options).
    9) Close the disk utility and install Mavericks. This can take a long time. My new drive is an SSD, and it sat at the "1 second remaining" part for about 20 min. Let it reboot (maybe it was 2 times?) and go through the setup until it finishes the install.
    10) Boot into the freshly installed OS and open a terminal and type:
    diskutil list
    11) If there is a partition listed as Apple_Boot Recovery HD (mine was 650 MB), then you now have a recovery partition. If not, then go into the App store and download Mavericks, but don't use the USB this time, choose to do a regular install (or reinstall to be more correct).
    12) Now there will be a recovery partition on the new drive and Time Machine will not overwrite it when restoring. Power down the system.
    13) Plug in the Time Machine backup drive used in step 1. Press the option key and power on. Choose to boot from the recovery partiton (Mavericks).
    14) Choose to restore from Time Machine backup. Wait until it finishes and log into the old familiar account.
    15) Start a terminal and verify the recovery partition is still there (type diskutil list and see that the Apple_Boot Recovery HD is there). If it's missing, choose to download Mavericks from the App Store again and run the installation from this one.
    16) Once there is a Mavericks recovery partition on the restored data you can simply turn on File Vault from the System Preferences Security section. It will require a reboot and then you login and wait for it to finish.
    What a major pain to go through all of this for the sake of upgrading a hard drive. This should not be anywhere near as complicated. I hope this helps others avoid the very time consuming trial and error I went through in developing this procedure.

    Talked with Apple last night. Everything we did to restore lost images failed to fix the issue. I did have the images still on my camera's SD card so I was not breaking out in a cold sweat.
    All Time Machine backups showed the same issue. HOWEVER, I suddenly remembered I also had a SuperDuper backup and voila. The images were there.
    Moral of the story: you can't ever be too rich or have too many backups (I also have an offsite backup).

  • Solution for File Vault Error.

    I just got off the phone from Apple Tech support (Holding for 20 minutes on a 10th attempt) I could not get past the log-in screen. "File Vault error needs to be repaired". This is what Brandon from Apple told me to do.
    1)Restart Computer holding down the "c" key.
    2)Follow the onscreen instructions until you get to "Select Drive to install to"
    3)Select your drive-click customize
    4)Select the 2nd option, (install and do back of of files) and uncheck the box below the option...sorry I can't remember what the option is...Im in the middle of trying it now.
    5)continue.
    6)If you have already screened the install DVD, there is no reason to do this step again, it is ok to skip to install.
    If this does not work you need to erase and install, however, you will need to do a file transfer to another mac computer via fire-wire by holding down the "T" key during start up prior to erasing the drive and installation of Leopard.

    I would really love to try this, as I am having the same problem, but even after removing everything possible in the customization, I don't have enough disk space to do so. Probably because I used it all installing the operating system the FIRST time. I don't want to have to do an erase and re-install. I didn't back up nearly enough stuff last time because I was assured I wouldn't need to.
    Now, it's after hours so I can't talk to apple and I am stuck with my husband's PC. Ew.

  • I tried to encrypt using file vault but it froze slowing my macbook pro, how can i get things moving or stop the encryption

    i tried to encrypt using file vault but it froze slowing my macbook pro, how can i get things moving or stop the encryption

    Back up all data before proceeding. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
    Start up in Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility.
    In the Disk Utility window, select the icon of the startup volume from the list on the left. It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. When prompted, enter the login password of a user authorized to unlock the volume, or the alternate decryption key that was generated when you activated FileVault.
    Then, from the menu bar, select
              File ▹ Turn Off Encryption
    Enter the password again.
    You can then restart as usual, if the system is working. Decryption will be completed in the background. It may take several hours, and during that time performance will be reduced.
    If you can't turn off encryption in Disk Utility because the menu item is grayed out, you'll have to erase the volume and then restore the data from a backup. Select the Erase tab, and then select
              Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    from the Format menu.
    You can then quit to be returned to the main Recovery screen. Follow these instructions if you back up with Time Machine. If you use other backup software, follow its developer's instructions.
    Don't erase the volume unless you have at least two complete, independent backups. One is not enough to be safe.

  • File vault stuck on encryption paused.

    Hi all
    Recently bought a Macbook Air and decided to use file vault, things seemed ok at first but when file vault was about to finish it became stuck on "encryption paused".
    Even with the power adapter connected it still will not continue, also i have found that it will cause "system preferences" to stop responding requiring me to force quit the application.
    I have spoke to a very helpful Apple support adviser who said it was a "cosmetic issue" and i should try a PRAM reset but this has not resolved the problem.
    Is anybody else experiencing similar problems?
    Thanks

    Back up all data before proceeding. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
    Start up in Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility.
    In the Disk Utility window, select the icon of the startup volume from the list on the left. It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. When prompted, enter the login password of a user authorized to unlock the volume, or the alternate decryption key that was generated when you activated FileVault.
    Then, from the menu bar, select
              File ▹ Turn Off Encryption
    Enter the password again.
    You can then restart as usual, if the system is working. Decryption will be completed in the background. It may take several hours, and during that time performance will be reduced.
    If you can't turn off encryption in Disk Utility because the menu item is grayed out, you'll have to erase the volume and then restore the data from a backup. Select the Erase tab, and then select
              Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    from the Format menu.
    You can then quit to be returned to the main Recovery screen. Follow these instructions if you back up with Time Machine. If you use other backup software, follow its developer's instructions.
    Don't erase the volume unless you have at least two complete, independent backups. One is not enough to be safe.

  • File vault hung decrypting...

    I was turning off file vault on my MacBook pro (10.7.3), and it seems to be hung. After turning off file vault it said that it was decrypting my home folder. I knew this could take some time, so I left the machine for a while.
    It has now been stuck at the same screen for over 12 hours.
    It says:
    File Vault
    Decrypting&lt;username>'s home folder
    Preparing...
    What will happen if I power cycle the device? Is there a good chance of losing all my data?

    Back up all data before proceeding. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
    Start up in Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility.
    In the Disk Utility window, select the icon of the startup volume from the list on the left. It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. When prompted, enter the login password of a user authorized to unlock the volume, or the alternate decryption key that was generated when you activated FileVault.
    Then, from the menu bar, select
              File ▹ Turn Off Encryption
    Enter the password again.
    You can then restart as usual, if the system is working. Decryption will be completed in the background. It may take several hours, and during that time performance will be reduced.
    If you can't turn off encryption in Disk Utility because the menu item is grayed out, you'll have to erase the volume and then restore the data from a backup. Select the Erase tab, and then select
              Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    from the Format menu.
    You can then quit to be returned to the main Recovery screen. Follow these instructions if you back up with Time Machine. If you use other backup software, follow its developer's instructions.
    Don't erase the volume unless you have at least two complete, independent backups. One is not enough to be safe.

  • File Vault encryption locked up.  No progress for 24 hrs.  If I restore from a non-encypted back-up will this cause problems?

    Started file vault yesterday and no progress for 24 hrs.  If I do a Command-R restore from a non-encrypted back-up will this cause problems?

    You first must repartition and reformat the drive before restoring your backup.
    Install or Reinstall OS X from Scratch
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
      2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
          left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
          the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
               because it is three times faster than wireless.
    This should install the version of OS X that you had installed.

  • File Vault all messed up - Yosemite

    Note that I am running OS X Yosemite on a 13 inch MacBook Air (early 2014).
    I did a restart on my MBA. When it restarted and I attempted to type my password, certain keys on the keyboard no longer worked and I was unable to type my password. I'm not talking unusual characters here - while my password is a combination of capital and small letters, numbers, punctuation marks, the ones I'm unable to type are common things like "c" or "k".  This does not work with either the MBA's own keyboard or my external Apple keyboard. I tried unplugging the external keyboard from the USB port but that made no difference.
    So I did the restart in recovery mode. I selected "keyboard not working" when time to enter password. I got the message that my keyboard may not be compatible with File Vault, which I think we can accept that since it's the MBA's own keyboard that should not be possible. I was then prompted to enter my password so that File Vault could be turned off. I entered my password very slowly and carefully but it was not accepted.
    I then (I forget the exact steps) managed to reset my login password and was able to login to the machine. I went to System Preferences and File Vault. I could not turn off File Vault because "encryption in progress". Except that encryption is paused, "connect power adapter to resume encryption." Except that power adapter IS connected.
    So I'm kind of stuck here.  If Fire Vault isn't encrypting and isn't resuming encryption and its blocking recognition of my keyboard when attempting to log in, what can I do to get back to "normal"?
    Note that my MBA was purchased in Hong Kong but I am currently in Manila.
    thanks!

    Back up all data before proceeding. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
    Start up in Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility.
    In the Disk Utility window, select the icon of the startup volume from the list on the left. It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. When prompted, enter the login password of a user authorized to unlock the volume, or the alternate decryption key that was generated when you activated FileVault.
    Then, from the menu bar, select
              File ▹ Turn Off Encryption
    Enter the password again.
    You can then restart as usual, if the system is working. Decryption will be completed in the background. It may take several hours, and during that time performance will be reduced.
    If you can't turn off encryption in Disk Utility because the menu item is grayed out, you'll have to erase the volume and then restore the data from a backup. Select the Erase tab, and then select
              Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    from the Format menu.
    You can then quit to be returned to the main Recovery screen. Follow these instructions if you back up with Time Machine. If you use other backup software, follow its developer's instructions.
    Don't erase the volume unless you have at least two complete, independent backups. One is not enough to be safe.

  • File Vault encryption

    File Vault encryption is stuck on Pause on intial start up of machine

    Back up all data before proceeding. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
    Start up in Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility.
    In the Disk Utility window, select the icon of the startup volume from the list on the left. It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. When prompted, enter the login password of a user authorized to unlock the volume, or the alternate decryption key that was generated when you activated FileVault.
    Then, from the menu bar, select
              File ▹ Turn Off Encryption
    Enter the password again.
    You can then restart as usual, if the system is working. Decryption will be completed in the background. It may take several hours, and during that time performance will be reduced.
    If you can't turn off encryption in Disk Utility because the menu item is grayed out, you'll have to erase the volume and then restore the data from a backup. Select the Erase tab, and then select
              Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    from the Format menu.
    You can then quit to be returned to the main Recovery screen. Follow these instructions if you back up with Time Machine. If you use other backup software, follow its developer's instructions.
    Don't erase the volume unless you have at least two complete, independent backups. One is not enough to be safe.

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