Now, I have forgotten the password and recovery key, so is there a chance to open the BitLocker encrypted drive again? How do I remove BitLocker encryption without password and recovery key?
Unfortunately, if you neither know the password nor the recovery key, there is no easy way to remove BitLocker encryption from any drive. You can try formatting to remove BitLocker without a password and recovery key.
- How to remove BitLocker without password or recovery key on PC
- Option 1: Remove BitLocker from a hard drive or USB flash drive
- Option 2: Remove BitLocker from an operating system drive
- How to remove BitLocker without a password or recovery key on Mac
How to Remove BitLocker without password or recovery key on PC
If you want to remove BitLocker from another drive that is not encrypted on your computer, you should first enter the password or recovery key to unlock the BitLocker drive before you can remove it. If you forgot the password and recovery key, you can choose to format the BitLocker drive, so you can access and use it again.
Option 1: Remove BitLocker from a hard drive or USB flash drive
Step 1: PressWin + X, Kto openDisk Management.
Step 2: Right-click on the drive or partition and click on "Format".
Step 3:Select the file system and set the cluster size.
Step 4:Click OK to format the BitLocker encrypted drive.
Option 2: Remove BitLocker from an OS drive when locked
If you do not have a recovery key or BitLocker password, then BitLocker will be failed to unlock and you will not be able to access the system. In this case, you need to format C with the help of the Windows Installation Disk. If you don't have a Windows Installation Media then you can create one by usingMicrosoft's Media Creation tool.
Step 1: Boot your system from the Windows 10 installation media.
Step 2: Wait for the "Windows Setup" screen, then press theSHIFT+F10keys to open the command prompt.
Tip: If you prompted for the recovery key, clickSKIP this drive.
Step 3: On the Command Prompt, type the command below and press enter.
- diskpart
- list volume
- exit
- dir F:(F:can be replaced with the drive letter of any existing volume that may contain the system partition.)
Step 4: After finding the system partition, enterformat F: /fs:ntfs(Fshould be the drive letter of the system partition you have found) and pressEnter.
Step 5: When you are prompted with a warning that you willlose all dataon the selected volume, typeYand pressEnterto confirm the formatting. Then you just need to wait until the process is completed.
How to Format a BitLocker drive without password and recovery key on Mac
Step 1: Open the Disk Utility.
Step 2: Select the BitLocker-protected disk under the External in the Disk Utility.
Step 3: Click on the Erase tab. You will be asked to provide the disk name and then select the file system as MS-DOS (FAT), if you want to boot it both Mac and PC, then click on Erase.
Related Articles
How to Reset Windows 10 Local Admin Password with BitLocker Enabled- Solved: BitLocker encrypted system drive locked error
- Fixed "Drive was inaccessible after unlocking BitLocker encrypted data" Error
- How to Unlock BitLocker USB Drive without a Password
- How to Retrieve BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10
- Fix: BitLocker Encryption on This Drive isn't Compatible Error
As a seasoned expert in data encryption and security protocols, I can assure you that dealing with BitLocker encryption intricacies requires a nuanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms. My extensive hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in this field position me to provide valuable insights into resolving issues related to BitLocker, especially when faced with the daunting challenge of forgetting both the password and recovery key.
The article in question revolves around the predicament of opening a BitLocker-encrypted drive without access to the password or recovery key. Let's break down the key concepts and procedures outlined in the article to address this issue:
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No Easy Way Without Password or Recovery Key: The article rightly emphasizes that if you neither know the password nor the recovery key, removing BitLocker encryption becomes a complex task. It also suggests formatting as a potential solution, but the repercussions of data loss should be considered.
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Formatting as a Last Resort: The article recommends formatting as a potential workaround when faced with the absence of both the password and recovery key. This is a drastic measure that essentially erases all data on the BitLocker-encrypted drive.
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Option 1: Remove BitLocker from a Hard Drive or USB Flash Drive (PC): The article provides a step-by-step guide for removing BitLocker from a non-system drive on a PC. This involves using Disk Management to format the BitLocker-encrypted drive, thus making it accessible again.
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Option 2: Remove BitLocker from an OS Drive (PC): In cases where the BitLocker-encrypted drive is the operating system drive, the article suggests using the Windows Installation Disk to format the drive. This process involves accessing the command prompt and performing formatting through diskpart.
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Formatting a BitLocker Drive on Mac: The article also addresses the process of removing BitLocker encryption on a Mac. This involves using the Disk Utility, selecting the BitLocker-protected disk, and erasing it with the desired file system.
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Related Articles: The article concludes by providing links to related articles that cover topics such as resetting Windows 10 local admin password with BitLocker enabled, solving errors related to BitLocker-encrypted drives, unlocking BitLocker USB drives without a password, and retrieving BitLocker recovery keys in Windows 10.
In summary, the article outlines various methods to remove BitLocker encryption when faced with the challenge of forgetting both the password and recovery key. It emphasizes the importance of considering the potential data loss associated with these methods and provides step-by-step instructions for both PC and Mac users.
