Bitlocker General Questions

I just learned that I have Bitlocker installed in my Windows 11 Pro laptop. I was a bit alarmed when I realized that I did not know the Key. I managed to print it so if necessary I can type in the 48 character key and not lose my computer. I began wondering how Bitlocker affects functions and I have some questions.

1 When Syncing files with other devices do my encrypted files on my Win11 laptop decrypt before syncing?
2 When doing an image of my laptop drives is the image encrypted?
3 When copying a file from my laptop to a USB flashdrive is the file decrypted?
4 When networking does my laptop decrypt files before sharing?

I am considering turning Bitlocker off because I see no benefits from it on my home computer. I wonder if it might have contributed to my not being able to network with my other computers. I am able to Sync to an external HD. Thanks

Bitlocker or more likely device encryption which is enabled by default if you sign in to the computer with a MS account encrypts your data at rest aka when the system is off. The drive is unlocked during use so most operations with files will seamlessly decrypt. Sync will work fine, copying files to remote systems and USBs will work normally. Most imaging should work with the exception of sector-by-sector copy of a locked drive.

If you open powershell and run if the LockStatus shows 'Unlocked' then imaging will operate normally.

Thanks neemobeer. I have imaged my laptop twice using Reflect successfully and have not had the occasion to restore. So I am having no problems imaging. Thanks for your information, it helps me understand the process. The encryption and decryption happens so seamlessly that I did not know it was happening. I was a little alarmed that I did not have my key. Perhaps my Microsoft account would provide it.