New laptop, how to disable Bitlocker?

RandySea · Apr 11, 2023

Win 11 Pro on brand new Lenovo laptop.

I don't want to use Bitlocker on my new X1 laptop. It created some problems with backup software on my old Lenovo X1 so I disabled it there. The difference was, on the old machine Bitlocker came turned on but no files were encrypted. It looks like new machines come with Bitlocker enabled and the C: drive encrypted by default. I will also create a D: partition for my data files.

What is the best way to disable Bitlocker from the start and make sure there are no encrypted files?

Thank you.

cereberus · Apr 11, 2023

RandySea said:
Win 11 Pro on brand new Lenovo laptop.

I don't want to use Bitlocker on my new X1 laptop. It created some problems with backup software on my old Lenovo X1 so I disabled it there. The difference was, on the old machine Bitlocker came turned on but no files were encrypted. It looks like new machines come with Bitlocker enabled and the C: drive encrypted by default. I will also create a D: partition for my data files.

What is the best way to disable Bitlocker from the start and make sure there are no encrypted files?

Thank you.

Just run the bitlocker drive encryption app and unencrypt it.

RandySea · Apr 11, 2023

When do I turn Bitlocker off permanently, before or after I run the app to unencrypt? Although I didn't phrase my OP very well, this is what I meant to ask.

glasskuter · Apr 11, 2023

RandySea · Apr 11, 2023

Glasskuter, please see my previous post. If the laptop comes from the factory with Bitlocker turned on at the factory and I just turn it off, what happens to files that may already be encrytpted?