This adds another layer of protection because the files on the drive are encrypted which makes them inaccessible without the password of the user that owns the drive. a copy of 10.6 to copy to create the USB drive, Huge Security Hole Found in Apple’s macOS High Sierra–How To Patch in 4 Steps, Secure Your Mac-Set a Firmware Lock [how to guide]. Password and Key (default) - Include both the BitLocker recovery password that's used by admins and users to unlock protected drives, and recovery key packages that are used by admins for data recovery purposes) in Active Directory. On occasion, it's necessary to erase a FileVault 2–encrypted volume. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. There can be a lot of exploring as you dig and discover the core issue. With a Mac with a T2 chip built in, the startup volume is always encrypted. Without FileVault enabled this is definitely the case, but if you have FileVault enabled these password reset routines will not work. The client leaves me with their computer, then I realized FileVault 2 is enabled and I am unable to erase the Drive in Disk Utility because I am required to enter the user’s login credentials. Go step by step to wipe hard drive data: STEP 1 – Restart Your Mac In Recovery Mode . Faculty and staff using Macs that contain sensitive information, WIN, Social Security numbers, grades, financial or research information, etc., should set up FileVault to protect their files. Note: With an SSD drive, Secure Erase and Erasing Free Space are not available in Disk Utility. Now, you know multiple ways to disable the password on your Mac which would allow you to work without any interruption. Without a Recovery System, FileVault won’t encrypt your startup drive.” Is your startup disk part of a RAID set? If FileVault isn't enabled, make sure your machine is plugged into a power outlet, click Turn On FileVault, type your user password, and wait for the process to complete. Click on the power button while holding the T button and wait for the hard drive to appear on the screen. Password and Key (default) - Include both the BitLocker recovery password that's used by admins and users to unlock protected drives, and recovery key packages that are used by admins for data recovery purposes) in Active Directory. Apple released FileVault 2 with OS X Lion (10.7) and it adds a couple extra features: On several occasions, I’ve helped clients back up their files with the intention of performing a full erase and reinstall of the Mac OS. Option 1: Erase without password or recovery key If you don’t know the password to a user account and also don’t know the recovery key to FileVault, you can still use recovery mode to erase the current installation and reinstall macOS. Thank you! Do I need to remember an additional password? Can I erase the drive halfway through the FileVault decryption process without it causing problems for the Mac? Now, APFS has the ability to do what CoreStorage did without the extra layer, so FileVault is just APFS Encrypted + Directory Services, and formatting a drive "APFS Encrypted" means "use Full Disk Encryption on this drive." Learn more. 3. If it is, you’ll need to erase the disk, get rid of the RAID partitions, then reinstall macOS — all in all, not a lot of fun. After you’ve blown away the FileVault 2 partition it will recognize the drive as a normal drive that’s ready to be erased. Encrypt or Decrypt Mac Hard Drive by Using FileVault. Macworld is your best source for all things Apple. 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