UnionSine External Hard Drive 1TB Data Recovery – “Access Denied” Error Due to Corrupt File Permissions or Encryption Issues

UnionSine external hard drives are widely used for business and personal backups, offering portable and secure data storage. However, when an “Access Denied” error appears when trying to open the drive, it often indicates corrupt file permissions or encryption conflicts, preventing users from accessing their data.

This case study details how we successfully recovered business data for a local florist after their UnionSine 1TB external hard drive became inaccessible due to corrupt file permissions or encryption issues.

As Leeds Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used file permission restoration, decryption analysis, and deep data extraction techniques to restore lost business files.

The Challenge: “Access Denied” Error Preventing File Access

A local florist contacted us after their UnionSine 1TB external hard drive failed to open, with the following issues:

  • The drive was detected by Windows/macOS but showed an “Access Denied” error.
  • File Explorer displayed the drive, but attempting to open it resulted in permission errors.
  • The florist was unable to access business records, invoices, and customer orders.
  • Attempts to change file permissions through Windows Security settings failed.

Since improper permission changes or forced decryption attempts could permanently lock files, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.

Diagnosis & Evaluation

When the UnionSine external hard drive arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full security and file system diagnostic. Our findings:

  1. Corrupt NTFS file permissions – The drive’s access control list (ACL) had been altered or damaged.
  2. Possible encryption conflicts – The drive may have been encrypted using BitLocker or third-party security software.
  3. File system inconsistencies – Some file structures were unreadable due to metadata corruption.

Since modifying permissions incorrectly or tampering with encryption settings could cause permanent data loss, we prioritized non-destructive recovery techniques.

The Recovery Process

1. Creating a Forensic Clone to Preserve Data Integrity

To prevent accidental data loss, we:

  • Created a sector-by-sector clone of the UnionSine external hard drive.
  • Used write-blocking technology to ensure original data remained unaltered.

2. Restoring File Permissions & Access Control Lists (ACLs)

Since the NTFS permissions were corrupted, we:

  • Rebuilt the drive’s access control list (ACL) using forensic tools.
  • Reassigned administrative ownership while maintaining file integrity.
  • Unlocked access to documents without damaging encryption structures.

3. Identifying & Resolving Encryption Conflicts

Since some files were encrypted, we:

  • Determined whether BitLocker or third-party encryption was in use.
  • Recovered encryption metadata and rebuilt missing decryption keys.
  • Extracted decrypted copies of business spreadsheets and invoices.

4. Verifying & Restoring Business Data

Once access was restored, we:

  • Checked all recovered files for accuracy and completeness.
  • Ensured customer records, inventory logs, and financial documents were intact.
  • Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external drive.

The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success

Thanks to our file permission restoration and encryption handling techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the florist’s business records, including:

✅ Customer orders and invoices
✅ Floral inventory and supplier records
✅ Financial transaction reports and business spreadsheets

The florist was able to continue business operations without losing any critical data.

Why Choose Us?

With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading external hard drive and encrypted data recovery specialists in Leeds and the UK. Our expertise includes:

✔ NTFS file permission repair & access restoration
✔ BitLocker and third-party encryption decryption
✔ Business & financial document recovery
✔ Secure & confidential data retrieval

If your external hard drive is displaying an “Access Denied” error, showing encryption conflicts, or preventing access to business files, stop using it immediately and contact us for professional data recovery.

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