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Frequently Asked Questions 
Note: The latest version of the TrueCrypt FAQ is available at 
http://www.truecrypt.org/faq
. 
 
 
I forgot my password – is there any way (‘backdoor’) to recover the files from my TrueCrypt 
volume? 
TrueCrypt does not allow recovery of any encrypted data without knowing the correct password or 
key. We cannot recover your data because we do not know and cannot determine the password 
you chose or the key you generated using TrueCrypt. The only way to recover your files is to try to 
"crack" the password or the key, but it could take thousands or millions of years (depending on the 
length and quality of the password or keyfiles, on the software/hardware performance, algorithms, 
and other factors). If you find this hard to believe, consider the fact that 
even the FBI was not able 
to decrypt a TrueCrypt volume after a year of trying
. 
 
Is there a "Quick Start Guide" or some tutorial for beginners? 
 
Yes. The first chapter, Beginner’s Tutorial, contains screenshots and step-by-step instructions on 
how to create, mount, and use a TrueCrypt volume.
 
 
Can I encrypt a partition/drive where Windows is installed? 
Yes (see the chapter System Encryption). 
 
 
Can I directly play a video (.avi, .mpg, etc.) stored on a TrueCrypt volume? 
 
Yes, TrueCrypt-encrypted volumes are like normal disks. You provide the correct password (and/or 
keyfile) and mount (open) the TrueCrypt volume. When you double click the icon of the video file, 
the operating system launches the application associated with the file type – typically a media 
player. The media player then begins loading a small initial portion of the video file from the 
TrueCrypt-encrypted volume to RAM (memory) in order to play it. While the portion is being 
loaded, TrueCrypt is automatically decrypting it (in RAM). The decrypted portion of the video 
(stored in RAM) is then played by the media player. While this portion is being played, the media 
player begins loading another small portion of the video file from the TrueCrypt-encrypted volume 
to RAM (memory) and the process repeats. 
 
The same goes for video recording: Before a chunk of a video file is written to a TrueCrypt volume, 
TrueCrypt encrypts it in RAM and then writes it to the disk. This process is called on-the-fly 
encryption/decryption and it works for all file types (not only for video files).