Is the data recoverable before the encryption on encrypted Pendrive/HDD?

Thales

Thales

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Hey,

So, there is a pendrive/hdd and unencrypted data on it.
First I format the drive and after that I encrypt it with something (bitlocker, luks zulucrypt, veracryt etc.) can I restore my previously deleted (formatted) unencrypted data.
The whole idea here is to not use a slow secure deleting method or psychical destroying before I toss my drive out.
 
If you "just" format the drive then there is a possibility that someone, but not an average person, can retrieve the data using recovery software. Whenever you want to throw away the drive or just give it away, wipe the drive filling it with zeros or use some other, slower data-destroy method.
 
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ı format then clean install windows i still able to recover large amount of files that was really easy but overwrite modifying like encryption ı dont think ıt can be recovered
 
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You need to do it the other way. Encrypt the drive and then format from outside windows. If you format and then encrypt everything is still there while you are in windows.
 
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Thales said:
Yes, I know that however, the whole encryption process should overwrite the disk. Maybe I'm wrong.
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Maybe. Some software has "fast encryption"... meaning it encrypts new stuff on the fly, but otherwise does not wipe the disk beforehand. Unless you fill the disk with new encrypted material the unencrypted data may possibly be recovered.

Consider Diskpart command "clean all". Simple to use. Following that, you must create a partition for the disk to be usable.
 
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