I have an external hard drive that I had to encrypt when using on a work computer. It's protected with a password and to access files, I run unlock.exe and type in a password.
However, since upgrading to Windows 10, I can no longer access the files. When I run unlock.exe an error comes up saying "this app cannot run on your PC". I've tried compatibility troubleshooting and searched blog etc for a solution, but can't find anything.
Can someone help?!
Hello Katiej, and welcome to windowssh blog.
What did you use to encrypt the hard drive with?
If you used BitLocker, then you might see if you can use either tutorial below to unlock or recover the hard drive with the Bitlocker password or recovery key.
BitLocker Recovery - Unlock a Drive in Windows 8
BitLocker Repair Tool - Recover Drive in Windows 7 and 8
I guess, from the limited information that you provide, that you are using the Smartware software from WDC. The latest version that I find is here:
WD Product Update
It's not listed for Windows 10, but it includes WIndows 8, so it will probably support 10 as well.
The manual for it is here:
Does your employer have any IT staff that could assist you with it?
Thanks for the welcomeHello Katiej, and welcome to windowssh blog.
What did you use to encrypt the hard drive with?
If you used BitLocker, then you might see if you can use either tutorial below to unlock or recover the hard drive with the Bitlocker password or recovery key.
BitLocker Recovery - Unlock a Drive in Windows 8
BitLocker Repair Tool - Recover Drive in Windows 7 and 8
I can't remember what tool I used to encrypt it unfortunately. I don't think it was bitlocker as I've attempted the fixes and they haven't worked. Appreciate you trying to help though.
Thanks BobknI guess, from the limited information that you provide, that you are using the Smartware software from WDC. The latest version that I find is here:
WD Product Update
It's not listed for Windows 10, but it includes WIndows 8, so it will probably support 10 as well.
The manual for it is here:
Does your employer have any IT staff that could assist you with it?
I don't work for that company any more which is part of the problem. I'll take a look at WDC. It sounds like it could be right. I am almost thinking I might have to find someone running Windows 8 or lower still and access it through their computer to remover the password.
Katiej
Hi
There is an article in WD knowledgebase that may help. Not an identical problem. But the solution might be helpful or lead you in the right direction while waiting for WD to get back to you. (I'm assuming you are going to open a support ticket with them)
