Fix: Can't turn off BitLocker in Windows 11 [2022 Tutorial]

Most people can't turn off BitLocker in Windows 11 because they don't know what it is and how to turn it off.

BitLocker provides the function of encrypting hard drives to protect data from data theft and hacker attacks. It's built into Windows since Windows 8 and is also available in Windows 10, Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, and Pro editions, but not Home editions.

BitLocker-encrypted drives can only be unlocked or decrypted using the BitLocker password or the BitLocker recovery key that was set when encrypted. Without proper authentication, no one can access it. BitLocker uses the AES encryption algorithm (Advanced Encryption Standard) and a 128-bit or 256-bit key to encrypt data on the drive.

BitLocker is automatically enabled in Windows 11, which can be a problem if you don’t know what you’re dealing with. Read on to learn how to disable BitLocker encryption.

What is BitLocker and how does it work?

BitLocker is an encryption tool developed specifically for Windows that can encrypt system drives to avoid data theft. BitLocker works by using a hardware element called a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and generates a recovery key for the encrypted hard drive to use every time you start your computer.

If you forget your password, you will also get a recovery key. You should store these recovery keys in a safe location so they can be accessed at any time if your computer is locked.

Why is BitLocker automatically enabled in Windows 11?

By default, PCs with Windows 11 automatically encrypt drives without your knowledge because Microsoft believes this is best for their users. This means that if you do not save the recovery key, you may lose all your data.

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Suppose you are updating your PC and your PC malfunctions due to a defective update or other reasons. What you would usually do is take it to a PC repair shop and recover your data, then copy it to another drive for later use after the PC is repaired.

If you don't have the key, you won't be able to access the encrypted drive or copy the data on it. Not having a Bitlocker key can cause Bitlocker's protection of your data to become a threat, even if it normally protects your data.

Tip BitLocker fully encrypts your drive, maybe you just want to encrypt a folder.
If you just want to encrypt a specific folder, you should choose a folder locking application instead of using BitLocker to encrypt it. Both BitLocker and folder locking apps have the same advanced encryption features to protect your data. But everyone's purpose is different. Folder locking applications only encrypt the folders you choose to encrypt, while BitLocker encrypts the entire drive.

⇒ Get folder lock

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11?

1. Turn off BitLocker using This Computer

1. Open This Computer from the desktop or Start menu.
2. Select and right-click the drive you want to disable BitLocker.
3. Click Manage BitLocker.
4. Now, click the Close BitLocker button.

2. Use the Control Panel to close BitLocker

1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Select the System and Security option.
3. Select BitLocker Drive Encryption.
4. Click to close BitLocker.

#3. Close BitLocker using Command Prompt

1. Click the magnifying glass (search box) in the taskbar.
2. Search Command Prompt.
3. Click Run as administrator.
4. Type manage-bde -unlock Drive-Name: -RecoveryPassword Recovery-Code to unlock the encrypted drive.
5. To disable BitLocker, type manage-bde -off Drive-Name:

Notes Drive-Name should be replaced with drive letter (C , F, E or D) , Recovery-Code should be replaced with the recovery key selected when encrypting the drive.

4. Disable BitLocker by using Windows Service

1. Press the Win R key.
2. Type services.msc in Windows Run and click the OK button.
3. Find BitLocker Drive Encryption Service and double-click it.
4. In the pop-up window, select Disabled in Startup type and click Apply.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

5. Use system configuration to disable BitLocker

1. Press Win R to open the run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Click on the "Services" tab on the top bar.
4. Uncheck BitLocker Drive Encryption Service and click Apply.
5. Restart the computer.

6. Turn off BitLocker using PowerShell

1. From the Start menu, run PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Using PowerShell, disable BitLocker by typing the command Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint Drive_Name:
3. Replace Drive_Name with the drive letter of the BitLocker-encrypted drive.

7. Group Policy Editor Close BitLocker

1. Type Group Policy Editor in the Start Menu and press Enter key.
2. Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Removable Data Drives.
3. Double-click Control use of BitLocker on removable drive.
4. Click Disabled, then click OK.

This policy setting controls the use of BitLocker on removable data drives. This policy is applied when BitLocker is enabled.

If this policy setting is not configured, users can use BitLocker on removable disk drives. Without enabling this policy, users will not be able to use BitLocker on removable disk drives.

8. Disable BitLocker in the Registry Editor

1. Go to Start Menu.
2. Open the Registry Editor.
Go to the following path:
3. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BitLocker
In the right pane,
4. Right-click > Click the DWORD (32-bit) value and name it PreventDeviceEncryption.
Open the DWORD value and set the value to 1 in hexadecimal format.
5. 
Click
6. OK
Restart the computer

BitLocker is a built-in encryption feature of Windows. It restricts your data from being accessed by unauthorized users. This feature is helpful for journalists, entrepreneurs, or anyone who feels the need for strong encryption on their hard drive to protect confidential information.

Windows 11 automatically encrypts your data, and if you want to have access to your data in the event of any failure, disabling BitLocker is the way to go.

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