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&quot;Will I be able to recover my data (don't want to re-image from the backups just recover data) prior to the encryption process finishing?&quot;<br />
Short answer is NO .. or at least not reliably. You MUST let that encryption process complete.
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COG Lead Engineer

Shaun Vermaak

Consultant

Owen Rubin

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Do you need encryption? &nbsp;If not, I would also have an UN-encrypted backup in case something goes horribly wrong. &nbsp;<br />
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I suppose it's a luxury for some to have two copies of one's data but if the encryption run fails, you won't have anything upon which to fall back should your rebuild force you to recover from backups.
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@Eoin, encryption finished but the option is still greyed out.
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@Tim, yes 100% encryption is needed. A USB device that is easy for someone to walk away with plug in and have access to my data. Encryption is critical. &nbsp;<br />
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I have alternative backups in place.
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What option is it you're trying to access? <br />
The information on the last or current backup is ALWAYS grey in the Time Machine toolbar menu<br />
If the encryption completed on the Mac laptop .. are you trying to run TimeMachine or recover a specific file/folder from the backup already generated.
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The 'Verify Backups' option is greyed out when I click on the Time Machine icon in the app bar and press the 'Option&quot; key. I can restore data from Time Machine so backups are working. Wondering why this feature isn't available. <br />
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The encryption completed - FYI
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Managed IT Services, Cyber Security, Backup

WORKS2011

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Backed up a MAC to Time Machine with encryption enabled. Backup complete now its encrypting data which my understanding takes awhile, much longer than the backups. I turned off Time Machine hoping it speeds up the encryption process. Question, I hoped to do a rebuild on the MAC and reinstall the OS after the backup. Will I be able to recover my data (don't want to re-image from the backups just recover data) prior to the encryption process finishing? It's been on 6% for awhile. <br />
<a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2018/09_w38/1386283/Screen-Shot-2018-09-20-at-10.34.27-P.png" target="_blank" title="backup (22 KB)"><img alt="backup" class="file-block lazyload" style="max-width: 266px;" data-src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2018/09_w38/1386283/Screen-Shot-2018-09-20-at-10.34.27-P.png" /></a>
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Screen-Shot-2018-09-20-at-10.34.27-P.png

Backed up a MAC to Time Machine with encryption enabled. Backup complete now its encrypting data which my understanding takes awhile, much longer than the backups. I turned off Time Machine hoping it speeds up the encryption process. Question, I hoped to do a rebuild on the MAC and reinstall the OS after the backup. Will I be able to recover my data (don't want to re-image from the backups just recover data) prior to the encryption process finishing? It's been on 6% for awhile. 


MAC backup to Time Machine

Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In an encryption scheme, the intended communication information or message, referred to as plaintext, is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, generating ciphertext that can only be read if decrypted. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients, but not to unauthorized interceptors.

Encryption

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.

Storage Software

Mac OS X is the desktop operating system from Apple Inc., found on Macintosh computers. OS X consists of a Mach/BSD-based kernel, operating system interfaces primarily based on FreeBSD and additional frameworks (written in C, C++ and Objective-C providing user interface and application-level services.