How to Recover .GPG Files Lost After Software Failure or Human Error

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .GPG file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .GPG Files Lost After Software Failure or Human Error
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What is a .GPG file?

A GPG file is a security key used to decrypt an encrypted file generated by GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG), a file encryption program. The secure format is based on the OpenPGP standard defined by RFC2440, the same standard Pretty Good Privacy (.PGP) files use.

What Are Common Causes of ".GPG" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".GPG" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".GPG" files while cleaning up their system or organizing their files.
  2. System crashes: If a system crash occurs while working with ".GPG" files, it can lead to file corruption or loss.
  3. Software or hardware issues: Problems with software or hardware, such as a faulty hard drive or a bug in the encryption software, can cause ".GPG" file loss or failure.
  4. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses or malware can infect and corrupt ".GPG" files, making them inaccessible or causing data loss.
  5. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can lead to ".GPG" file loss or failure.
  6. Improper handling or transfer: If ".GPG" files are not handled or transferred correctly, such as interrupted file transfers or improper ejection of external storage devices, it can result in file loss or corruption.
  7. Encryption key issues: If the encryption key used to encrypt the ".GPG" files is lost, forgotten, or compromised, it can make the files inaccessible.
  8. Software or system updates: In some cases, software or system updates can cause compatibility issues with encryption software, leading to ".GPG" file failure or loss.

To prevent ".GPG" file loss or failure, it is recommended to regularly backup important files, use reliable encryption software, keep the system and software up to date, and practice safe handling and transfer of files.

How to recover lost ".GPG" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".GPG" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".GPG" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".GPG" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".GPG" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
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Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".GPG" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".GPG" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo gNU Privacy Guard Public Keyring image file file?

Programs that open ".GPG" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: GNU Privacy Guard Public Keyring

  • File extension: .GPG

  • Developer: Free Software Foundation

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/pgp-keys

  • HEX: 99

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:04 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .GPG files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the file format .GPG and what does it stand for?

    The .GPG file format is associated with Gnu Privacy Guard (GnuPG) software, which is an open-source implementation of the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption standard. The .GPG extension is used for encrypted files created by GnuPG.

    GPG stands for Gnu Privacy Guard, and it is a free and widely used cryptographic software that provides encryption and digital signature functionalities. It allows users to protect the confidentiality and integrity of their data by encrypting files and messages, ensuring secure communication and data storage.

  • How can I open a .GPG file and access its contents?

    To open a .gpg file and access its contents, you will need to follow these steps:

    1. Install GnuPG (GPG) on your computer: GnuPG is a free and open-source software that allows you to encrypt and decrypt files using the OpenPGP standard. You can download and install it from the official GnuPG website (https://gnupg.org/).
    2. Import the necessary keys: If the .gpg file is encrypted with a public key, you will need to import the corresponding private key to decrypt it. If you don't have the private key, you won't be able to access the contents of the file.
    3. Decrypt the .gpg file: Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where the .gpg file is located. Use the following command to decrypt the file:

    ```

    gpg --decrypt filename.gpg

    ```

    Replace "filename.gpg" with the actual name of your .gpg file.

    1. Enter the passphrase (if applicable): If the .gpg file is encrypted with a passphrase, you will be prompted to enter it during the decryption process. Enter the correct passphrase to proceed.
    2. Save the decrypted file: After successful decryption, GnuPG will display the decrypted content in the command prompt or terminal. You can redirect the output to a file using the ">" symbol. For example:

    ```

    gpg --decrypt filename.gpg > output.txt

    ```

    This command will save the decrypted content to a file named "output.txt" in the current directory.

    Now you have successfully opened and accessed the contents of the .gpg file.

  • Are there any specific software or tools required to decrypt and open a .GPG file?

    Yes, to decrypt and open a .gpg file, you need specific software or tools. GPG (GNU Privacy Guard) is a popular implementation of the OpenPGP encryption standard. Here are the steps and tools required:

    1. Install GnuPG: GnuPG is the most common software used for encryption and decryption of GPG files. You can download and install it from the official website (https://gnupg.org/). GnuPG is available for various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
    2. Import the recipient's public key: If the .gpg file was encrypted using someone else's public key, you need to import their key into your GnuPG keyring. You can import the key using the following command: `gpg --import [public_key_file]`.
    3. Decrypt the .gpg file: After importing the necessary public keys, you can decrypt the .gpg file using the following command: `gpg --decrypt [encrypted_file.gpg]`. This command will prompt you for the necessary passphrase if required.

    Alternatively, you can use graphical user interface (GUI) tools like Kleopatra (Windows), GPG Suite (macOS), or Seahorse (Linux) to decrypt and open .gpg files. These tools provide a user-friendly interface for managing encryption keys and decrypting files.

    Note: It's important to have the correct passphrase or private key associated with the .gpg file to successfully decrypt it.
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