This tutorial will show you how to turn off BitLocker for an encrypted drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned drives and computers.
You can turn on BitLocker to encrypt the operating system drive (Windows drive), fixed data drives (internal hard drives), and removable data drives (external hard drive or USB flash drive).
When you turn off BitLocker for a drive encrypted by BitLocker, it will completely decrypt the drive.
It is required to unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive before being able to turn off BitLocker for the drive.
You must be signed in as an administrator to turn off BitLocker for a operating system drive and fixed data drive. You are not required to be an administrator to unlock your removable data drive.
BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
- Option One: Turn Off BitLocker for Drive from Context Menu
- Option Two: Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in BitLocker Manager
- Option Three: Turn Off BitLocker for Drive using manage-bde Command
- Option Four: Turn Off BitLocker for Drive in PowerShell
This option requires adding Turn off BitLocker to the context menu first.
1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Right click or press and hold on the drive you want to decrypt, and click/tap on Show more options.
You can skip step 2 in Windows 10 since Show more options is not available.
3 Click/tap on Turn off BitLocker. (see screenshot below)
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.
2 Click/tap on Turn off BitLocker for the encrypted drive you want to decrypt. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Turn off BitLocker to confirm. (see screenshot below)
4 The drive will now start decrypting. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Close when decryption is complete. (see screenshot below)
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
manage-bde -off <drive letter>:
Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter of the encrypted drive you want to decrypt.
For example: manage-bde -off F:
You can check the status of BitLocker for the drive at anytime.
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.
2. Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "<drive letter>:"
Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter of the encrypted drive you want to decrypt.
For example: Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "F:"
You can check the status of BitLocker for the drive at anytime.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
- Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11
- Turn On BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 11
- Turn On BitLocker for Fixed Data Drive in Windows 11
- Turn On BitLocker for Removable Data Drive in Windows 11
- Enforce BitLocker Encryption Type on Fixed Data Drives in Windows 11
- Enforce BitLocker Encryption type on Removable Data Drives in Windows 11
- Deny Write Access to Removable Drives not Protected by BitLocker in Windows 11
- Deny Write Access to Fixed Data Drives not Protected by BitLocker in Windows 11
- Suspend or Resume BitLocker Protection for Drive in Windows 11
- Add Turn off BitLocker context menu in Windows 11
- Change BitLocker Drive Encryption Method in Windows 11
- Lock BitLocker Drive in Windows 11
- Change BitLocker Password for Drive in Windows 11