How to Remove BitLocker Encryption on PC 2024

Follow this guide to master the smooth, secure, and efficient removal of BitLocker encryption on Windows PCs and removable devices.

Regaining access to your data or preparing the drive for other applications can be achieved by removing BitLocker encryption from your Windows PC's hard disc, SSD, or external storage device. This article will help you through the process of decrypting a drive for more straightforward access or changing the security setup.

Before beginning, check for your Bitlocker password or recovery key.

The BitLocker password or recovery key used when the encryption was configured will help you effectively remove BitLocker encryption. If you still possess the password or recovery key, use Guide 1 for a simple decryption.

Don't panic if you have forgotten the password or lost access to the recovery key. Still, solutions exist. Visit Guide 2 to discover how to uninstall BitLocker encryption without these credentials.

Guide 1. Remove BitLocker Encryption with Password and Recovery Key 

Eliminating encryption from your drive is simple and quick if you still have your BitLocker password or recovery key. Below, we'll guide you through decrypting your external device or hard disc.

#1. Search and Find the BitLocker Recovery Key

Use these guidelines to find your BitLocker recovery key if you cannot remember where you saved it:

✔️Check Your Microsoft Account: You can see all saved keys by visiting the BitLocker Recovery Key page and signing in if you linked BitLocker to your Microsoft account.

✔️Look for it on a USB Drive: You might have stored the key on a USB stick during BitLocker configuring. Try looking for it there.

✔️Check Cloud Services: Some users save cloud services like OneDrive as a backup for their recovery keys. Look into your cloud storage accounts for a file called "BitLocker Recovery Key."

#2. Remove BitLocker Encryption with BitLocker Recovery Key

Once you've found your recovery key, follow these steps to remove BitLocker encryption:

• Right-click the encrypted drive and select "Unlock BitLocker".
• Type in the password to unlock it.

• Then, right-click on the unlocked Bitlocker drive and select "Manage BitLocker".
• In the BitLocker management window, click Turn off BitLocker.
• Re-click "Turn Off BitLocker" to confirm the operation.

Windows will start decrypting your drive. The process can be time-consuming, depending on the drive size. Once the decryption is complete, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Don't forget to share this online to help more people removing BitLocker from their devices easily:

Guide 2. Remove BitLocker Encryption Without Password and Recovery Key

You cannot directly access the drive if you have forgotten or misplaced your BitLocker password and recovery key. Still, formatting the disc allows one to eliminate BitLocker encryption. If you have essential files, be advised that this approach would wipe all data on the encrypted drive, so it is advisable to start with a data recovery tool to retrieve them.

Note: Formatting BitLocker-encrypted drives can cause permanent data loss. Consider employing a data recovery tool before proceeding if you have valuable data.

#1. Use File Explorer

If the BitLokcer drive is locked, skip to the 2nd tool for help as File Explorer is unable to format an encrypted and locked BitLocker disk. However, if your BitLocker drive is encrypted but in the unlocked state, you can format the BitLocker-encrypted HDD using File Explorer.

Here is how:

• Press Windows + E opens File Explorer. Find the BitLocker-encrypted drive with a lock icon.
• When right-clicking the encrypted drive, select Format from the dropdown menu. Select NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT in the format window and leave the allocation size as the default. Under Volume Label, you can name the volume.
• After reviewing the settings, click Start to format.

After completion, BitLocker will be removed, and the drive will be empty and ready for reuse.

#2. Use BitLocker Formatter Software

BitLocker formatted software is another viable option if you would rather utilize a specialized program to format a BitLocker-encrypted drive. EaseUS Partition Master is a highly recommended tool. This programme offers functions like disc health assessment and error correction, in addition to formatting BitLocker discs.

EaseUS Partition Master effectively handles disc management duties of all kinds. It offers an easy-to-use interface that simplifies formatting encrypted drives while maintaining the general health of your disc.

Note: Formatting a drive will remove all data, just like the previous method. Ensure you have used a data recovery program or backed up any vital files if needed.

Step 1. Select the USB drive to format.

Connect the USB drive or pen drive to your computer. Download and launch EaseUS partition software. Right-click the USB drive you intend to format and choose "Format".

Step 2. Set the drive letter and file system on USB.

Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. Check "Yes" to confirm formatting USB.

Click "Yes" if you see the Warning window. If you have important data on it, back up the data in advance.

Step 4. Apply the changes.

Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button first, and then click "Apply" to format the USB drive.

#3. Use Disk Management

Windows Disc Management offers another easy way to remove BitLocker encryption. This built-in tool lets you manage and format your drives without further software.

Formatting a BitLocker-encrypted drive with Disc Management will wipe every bit on the drive. Before moving forward, ensure you have backed up or used a data recovery program for any significant files you own.

Steps

• Press Windows + X and choose Disc Management.
• Find the BitLocker-encrypted drive under Disc Management.
• Format the encrypted drive by right-clicking it.
• Select NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT in the format dialogue and label the volume. Check Quick Format.
• Click OK to format. After BitLocker encryption is removed, the drive is ready for usage.

Bonus Tips: When to Add and When to Remove BitLocker Encryption on Windows

One should know when to use BitLocker encryption and when to remove it to improve data security. Here are some tips for adding or removing BitLocker encryption on Windows:

When to Add BitLocker Encryption🔐

✅1. Protect Sensitive Data: Enabling BitLocker encryption protects sensitive data on your drive. This is crucial for commercial and personal data like bank records.

✅2. Prepare Against Device Loss or Theft: Encrypting a laptop or external hard drive using BitLocker adds security in case it's lost or stolen.

✅3. Compliance Requirements: BitLocker encryption helps you comply data protection regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.

When to Remove BitLocker Encryption🔓

⚠️1. Decommissioning or Repurposing a Drive: Removing BitLocker encryption lets you format and use a drive without limits if you plan to retire or reuse it.

⚠️2. Performance Considerations: On outdated hardware or low-resource systems, encryption may slow performance. If BitLocker encryption is unnecessary, removing it can boost drive performance.

⚠️3. Troubleshooting Issues: Temporarily disabling BitLocker encryption can facilitate troubleshooting and repairs for encrypted drives.

⚠️4. Switching Security Methods: You may need to deactivate BitLocker before using a new encryption tool or security approach.

Keep in mind that BitLocker encryption offers extra protection to safeguard your data, but the optimal way to manage your drives will depend on your needs and situation.

Conclusion

You should remove BitLocker encryption from your PC or storage device for several reasons, including troubleshooting problems, performance enhancement, or drive preparation for a different use. Whether you have a BitLocker password or recovery key determines the method. These credentials will help you follow Guide 1 to decode the drive readily. Should you have forgotten them, though, consult Guide 2. Formatting a BitLocker-encrypted drive will wipe all data. Hence, employing a data recovery program to restore critical files is necessary.

Using EaseUS Partition Master is highly recommended for people seeking a complete solution. This utility provides further capabilities, including error checks and disc speed optimization, in addition to helping remove BitLocker encryption.

Choosing the correct strategy depending on your circumstances and applying specialist tools will help you properly control BitLocker encryption and guarantee the safe handling of your data.

FAQs of Removing BitLocker on Windows

If you have further questions about managing BitLocker encryption, here are some commonly asked questions and their answers:

1. How to turn off BitLocker in Windows with command line?

Follow these steps to disable BitLocker encryption on the command line:

• Run Command Prompt as admin. Search for “cmd” in Start, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
• Type and enter the following command in Command Prompt: manage-bde shut C:
• Replace C: with the BitLocker-encrypted disc letter you want to decode.
• Let the decryption finish. Run to check status: Replace C: with your drive letter when using manage-bde -status.

You can use your drive without BitLocker encryption after this command decrypts it.

2. Can I unlock BitLocker without a recovery key?

Normal BitLocker drives cannot be unlocked without the recovery key. The recovery key is essential to prevent unauthorized access to encrypted data. Without the recovery key and lost password, your options are restricted. You may need to format the drive to delete all data. Before proceeding, use Microsoft account recovery or other backup techniques to find the recovery key.

3. What to do when there is no option to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11?

If Windows 11 doesn't have a BitLocker off option, try these:

✔️Check Group Policy Settings:

• Group policy settings may disable BitLocker options.
• Enter gpedit.msc in Windows + R to open Local Group Policy Editor
• Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
• Avoid BitLocker management settings that prohibit you from turning it off.

✔️Check BitLocker: Make sure BitLocker is on the drive. Check System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption in Control Panel to see if the drive is encrypted.

✔️Run Command Prompt: As mentioned, you can disable BitLocker from the command line.

✔️Update Windows: Updating Windows 11 can fix system feature and functionality issues.