How to disable Bitlocker Encryption?

BitLocker, an encryption feature, provides an extra layer of protection to the hard drive against unauthorized access and the prying eyes of cybercriminals. It is the native Windows security feature built into Windows PCs from Windows 7 to the latest versions, but is not available in the Home edition of Windows 10/11.

使用磁盘加密驱动器加密只能decrypted or unlocked with the 48-digit Recovery Key or BitLocker password. Anyone without authentication will be denied access if the drive is breached or the system has been stolen. Although BitLocker protects your sensitive data, entering the BitLocker password or recovery key again after performing a new version of Windows or every Startup, changing hardware, or performing BIOS UEFI updates can be annoying. However, you can prevent this by suspending or disabling the BitLocker Encryption.

This guide will walk you through various methods to disable BitLocker Encryption on Windows 10/11 system.

Disable BitLocker Encryption in Windows

You can easily disable or turn it off if you don't need BitLocker Encryption to prevent issues during system modification. Moreover, doing so will not modify or delete your data in the drive. However, before disabling BitLocker, you first need to unlock the encrypted drive, as shown below.

Unlocking an Encrypted Drive

To unlock the encrypted drive, be it a fixed drive, you must enter the recovery key or password. To unlock and access the data inside an encrypted drive, follow these steps:

• Go toThis PCof your system and click on theencrypted drive.

• Type yourpasswordorPin, clickUnlockbutton to open the encrypted drive.

• If you've forgotten or lost the unlock password, clickMoreoptions.

• Now click onEnter recovery keyoption.

• Enter a unique48-digit recovery keyand clickUnlockbutton.

Once you have unlocked the BitLocker Encrypted drive, you can jump to the next step to disable it.

Methods to disable BitLocker encryption

There are several methods to disable BitLocker in Windows 10/11, including via Control Panel, Group Policy Editor, Windows Services, System Configuration, PowerShell, and Command Prompt.

1. Disable BitLocker Encryption via Control Panel

Control Panel is the most user-friendly way to turn off BitLocker Windows 10; you must be logged in as an administrator. To disable BitLocker encryption using the Control Panel:

• Click theStarticon, typeControl Panelin the Cortana box, clickSystem and Security.

• Click on theBitLocker Drive Encryptionoption from the menu.

• Inthe BitLocker Drive Encryptionscreen, clickTurn Off BitLocker.

• Now, click on theDecrypt Driveto start the decryption process.

2. Disable BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10 Via Command Prompt

Follow the below steps to turn off BitLocker on Windows 10 using the Command Prompt:

• Click on theStarticon and typecmdin the search box.
• From the list, click onRun as Administrationoptions.

• Now typemanage-bde -statusto view the encryption status of BitLocker on your system.

• Wait for encryption to complete, and then typemanage-bde -off X.

• Now, wait for the decryption to complete. Then, typemanage-bde -statuscheck the decryption progress.

• If you see thePercentage Encryptedmarked as0%,it means BitLocker encryption has been removed from the drive.

3.通过PowerShell删除磁盘加密加密

Another command line utility that gives you more control over your system's application. To remove BitLocker in Windows 10/11, follow these steps:

• Press theWindows + X keytogether and selectWindows PowerShell (Admin) from the Power Users menu list.

• Now typeDisable-BitLocker -MountPoint "X:"and hitEnterkey to disable the BitLocker encryption.

• Wait until the Protection status isOff,indicating BitLocker encryption is disabled.

You can even turn off BitLocker for all drives on your system using PowerShell. To do that, type the following commands in the PowerShell window:

• $BLV = Get-BitLockerVolume- to view the list of encrypted volumes.
• Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint $BLV–to decrypt the encrypted volumes.

Remember that the decryption will take a while, so don't interrupt it.

4. Turn Off BitLocker Encryption via Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor allows the administrator to control the access and permission of various applications and users on your system. It can also be used to manage the BitLocker Drive; however, it is the most complicated method to disable the BitLocker in Windows 10/11. Let's take a look at the steps:

• HitWindows + Rkeys together to launch theRundialog box.
• Typemscto launch theGroupPolicy.

• Once the Local Group Policy Editor window appears, navigate to theComputer Configurationtab and clickAdministrative Templates.

• Double-click on theWindows Componentfolder, and expand theBitLocker Drive Encryptionoption.

• Click onFixed Data Drivesand then double-click on theDeny write access to fixed drives not protected by BitLockeroption to open it.

• Next, either click没有配置orDisabled. Both options will remove BitLocker encryption. Then click onApplyandOKto save the changes.

5. Turn off BitLocker Encryption via Windows Services

Windows Services can be used to turn on or off all Windows Services, including BitLocker Services. Here's how to disable the BitLocker Services:

• PressWindows + R keystogether to launch theRundialog box.
• Typeservices.mscin the box to launch theServiceswindow.

• Under theNametab, try locatingBitLocker Drive Encryption Service,then double-click on it.

• Next, navigate to theStartuptypesection and selectDisablefrom the drop-down list.

• ClickApply, then clickOKto save the changes.

6.Disable BitLocker Encryption using System Configuration

To remove BitLocker Encryption viaSystem Configuration, follow these steps:

• PressWindows + R keystogether to launch theRundialog box.
• Typemsconfigto launch theSystem Configurationwindow.

• Now Navigate to theServicestab, look for the BitLocker Drive Encryption Service, anduncheckit.

• ClickApply, and thenOK. Restart your system for the changes to save.

Bottom Line

This guide introduced six ways to Disable or Turn Off BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10/11. You can only decrypt your drive when you have the BitLocker Recovery Key or Password. However, if you lose any data from BitLocker encrypted drive due to unforeseen circumstances, try using efficient data recovery software likeStellar Data Recovery for Windowsto recover the data.

FAQ

1. How do I enable BitLocker on Windows 11?

To enable a BitLocker account on your Windows 11 :

• Sign into your Windows with the administrator account.
• Go toStartbutton>Settings>Update&Security>DeviceEncryption>TurnOn

2. Can data recovery software recover data from BitLocker encrypted drive without a password and recovery key?

No, a data recovery software cannot recover data without a BitLocker password or recovery key.

3.How to get the BitLocker recovery key from CMD?

• You have to first unlock the BitLocker-encrypted drive with the password.
• OpenCommandPromptand "Run as Administrator."
• Typemanage-bde -protectors driveletter: -getand pressEnterkey to get the recovery key.