Filevault Woes

Hi:

For some strange reason I accidentally turned on Filevault during my latest High Sierra Update on my MacBook Pro and it is taking forever to complete the process. I don't want Filevault on, but it tells me it has to complete the process before I can turn it off.

Does anyone know of a way that I can circumvent the process without loosing any info etc. It has been running the process for over 13hrs now and still no end in sight.

Thanks for any suggestions etc.

It seems you can but I suggest you read these closely. I have never tried this as I have never used firevault. Too many people have posted issues with it for me to be that brave.

This involves using terminal commands which looks like your only option.
https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...ault-encryption-to-continue-how-to-cancel-enc

I do hope you have a backup!

Lisa

Hi Lisa:

I just got back from some errands and I just saw your post. I also notice that Filevault is now under 2 hrs left, so I think I will let it run its course. I guess better to wait a couple hrs than to totally mess things up. Yes I do have a backup, but I also noticed lots of warnings from TM that encrypted files were being copied to an un-encrypted drive, so I shut off TM. Can't wait for the couple hours to come and go and shut off Filevault. I sure hope it doesn't take as long to un-encrypt the drive. Thanks for the info, not sure if I am that brave.

It should take just as long to decrypt the drive as it took to encrypt the drive.

Bob is correct. These things take time. I would also suggest getting something like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper and use it to clone your main drive to an external. This will further provide a layer of safety as cloning makes an exact copy of your drive and is bootable. I know that CCC will work with an encrypted firevault drive. https://bombich.com/kb/ccc5/working-filevault-encryption

Just a suggestion.

Lisa

Bob & Lisa:

You are correct, it is going to take time, we are at 18hrs right now. I do have and use CCC and did make a copy prior to doing the latest High Sierra update, not needing the MacBook Pro in a hurry, I will let the process take it's course. Thanks.