This wikiHow teaches you how to disable BitLocker encryption on a Windows computer. BitLocker is a feature included in almost all Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10. If you are unable to decrypt the hard drive to disable BitLocker, use the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the hard drive. Thus, BitLocker can be disabled.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Windows Settings
Step 1. Go to Start
Do this by clicking the Windows logo in the lower-left corner. The Start menu will open.
Step 2. Open Settings
Click the gear-shaped Settings icon in the lower-left corner of the Start menu. The Settings window will be displayed.
Step 3. Click System
It's a monitor-shaped icon at the top of the Settings window.
Step 4. Click Device encryption
This tab is located on the left side of the System window.
If tab Device encryption not here, try clicking About in the lower left corner, then look for the "Device encryption" heading. If the tab is still missing, it means that BitLocker is not installed on the computer.
Step 5. Click Turn off
It's in the middle of the page.
Step 6. Click Turn off when prompted
By doing so, BitLocker will start decrypting the hard drive. The process can take several hours.
You may need to enter an Administrator PIN or password in order for BitLocker to be disabled
Method 2 of 3: Using Control Panel
Step 1. Go to Start
Do this by clicking the Windows logo in the lower-left corner. This will bring up the Start menu.
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In Windows 7, click the icon
Windowswindows7_start colorful.
Step 2. Search for BitLocker
Do this by typing bitlocker. The Start menu will display the appropriate search results.
In Windows 7, first click the search field at the bottom of the Start menu
Step 3. Click Manage BitLocker
It's at the top of the Start menu. The BitLocker Control Panel page will open.
Step 4. Locate the desired hard drive
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen to find the hard drive for which you want to disable BitLocker.
If BitLocker only encrypts one hard drive, skip this step
Step 5. Click Turn Off BitLocker
This link is below and to the right of the BitLocker heading.
Step 6. Click Turn Off BitLocker when prompted
By doing so, BitLocker will begin decrypting the hard drive. The process can take several hours.
- You may need to enter an Administrator PIN or password in order for BitLocker to be disabled.
- In Windows 7, click Decrypt Drive here.
Method 3 of 3: Unlocking BitLocker
Step 1. Find the recovery key
When you set up BitLocker on your computer, you will be given a 48-digit recovery key that you can use if you forget your BitLocker password. Look for this key to unlock BitLocker:
- If you print it, look for this key in the place you usually use to store important files.
- If you saved it as a text file on a USB flash drive (USB drive), plug it into another Windows computer so you can open the text file and see the key.
- If the system administrator or IT person set up BitLocker on the computer, contact them to ask for the recovery key.
Step 2. Turn on the computer if necessary
If the computer has not been turned on to open the BitLocker screen, turn on the computer.
Skip this step and the next one once the computer is turned on and opens the BitLocker screen
Step 3. Wait for the BitLocker screen to load
Wait a few minutes for the BitLocker login screen to open.
Step 4. Press the Esc key
Doing so means you'll need to enter the BitLocker recovery key, not the password.
Step 5. Type in the BitLocker recovery key
Enter the 48-digit recovery key in the text box provided at the top of the screen.
Step 6. Press Enter key
A recovery key will be sent.
Step 7. Follow the instructions given on the screen
Depending on the computer you are using, you may be given additional options after the recovery key is sent. After exploring the additional instructions provided, you can disable BitLocker through Settings.
