A Seagate 28 TB external drive was sent for data recovery. The recovered files are mostly music, and the recovery service encrypted the return drive with BitLocker before shipping it back. They provided an encryption key, but Windows 10 Pro does not show the drive in File Explorer or prompt for a password when it is connected. The disk is visible in Disk Management, but no drive letter is assigned, and the context menu only offers options such as converting to a dynamic disk, taking the disk offline, viewing properties, or opening Help. Attempts to use command-line instructions have not worked. What is the safest way to get Windows to recognize and unlock the recovered volume without risking the data?
2 Answers
The encryption may be intentional: recovery services commonly return recovered data on a BitLocker-encrypted device to protect the customer's files, and the unlock key is supplied separately. The fact that you know the contents are music does not mean the original drive was encrypted; it can simply be the newly created return media that was encrypted after recovery.
Do not choose “Convert to dynamic disk” while troubleshooting a recovery disk. Since Disk Management is not offering a normal drive-letter option and Windows never displays an unlock prompt, the volume may not be being detected as a usable BitLocker volume. Verify that the supplied key is for this exact return drive, try the drive and cable on another supported Windows system, and contact the recovery provider if the volume still cannot be identified. They should confirm the expected partition layout and unlock procedure before any repair or formatting is attempted.
That matches the shipping notice I received—the company included a BitLocker key for the returned recovery drive.