Windows 10: Saved Locked Folder to Ext. HD. and Can't Open after Reset

My Dell desktop with Windows 10 was acting up so I opted to do a "Reset my PC" including deleting all files and folders. I've backed up my files and folders to an external drive once a month, but performed an extra backup just before the Reset process. The most important folder--all of my "personal" stuff including passwords, tax accounting, family pictures, etc--was locked by me as I kept it on my Desktop and I wanted to limit inadvertent access to the folder by others.

In the back up process, I did what I always had done monthly: I opened the external drive's window and "slid" the Folder's icon over to the HD and let it load (I never unlocked the folder on my Desktop first, to reveal the contents, then moved over the contents in-bulk--I just moved the entire folder over and into the ext. HD). Never having had previous occasion to move that saved folder from the ext. HD and back to my Desktop, I did have to do that after the OS reset. Well, guess what: While the master folder copied on to my Desktop, NONE of the contents of the sub folders that contained documents, pictures, etc) came over with it. In fact, after going back into my ext. HD and seeing the list of all the documents, files, etc still there, EACH HAS A PADLOCK on its icon. When I click to open, say, an Excel file entitled "Websites 2016", I get a pop up that looks the attached. NONE of the files will open within the master Personal Folder. I've tried all of the right click/security setting changes and nothing changes. Is there any way I am going to be able to open these docs ever again? Or am I screwed in that they were not saved into the ext. HD before unlocking the Folder as it appeared on my Desktop before resetting?


:)

 

Saved PW Protected Folder to ext HD. Reset Windows 10. Can't Open Folder Contents!

None of that helps. How can this be considered "data loss" when the files and folders are listed, including the size of each, etc?

 

Saved PW Protected Folder to ext HD. Reset Windows 10. Can't Open Folder Contents!

Hi,

It is considered data loss. However, you may try to follow the instructions on this

link.

Keep us posted.

 

Copy them back to there Original location and than try to open them.
Preferably copy them to Desktop folder and try to open them

 

I tried copying the folder back on to my Desktop. I tried copying it on to my other computer (a laptop running Windows 10 also). I even took the HD to a family member's house and had him connect it to his computer. All the same results: Within a few seconds, a pop up appears that stops the process, stating: "Do you want to copy this folder without encryption?" Followed by: "A problem is preventing this folder from being encrypted". I have an option of YES, SKIP or CANCEL. I've tried all three. If I select YES, the folder "loads" on to my Desktop with its name. Then when I open it, all the sub folders are listed with their correct names. However there's no files anywhere in them.