Unable to unlock Bitlocker external drive in W11 E (Drive created in W10 E).


mystvearn

mystvearn

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I am using the same pc which was a W10 enterprise and now upgraded (clean install) to W11 enterprise and I can no longer access my work files on my external HD on this PC. I get this message when I try to unlock the folder:
"The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows."

When I right-click the folder, there is an option to unlock, but when I go to unlock, I still get the same message. Any ideas how do I get access to my external drive?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Own built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Auros B550M
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060 12 GB
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM, Dell U2715H, 1080p philips monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440*2
    Hard Drives
    1
    PSU
    650W
Haydon

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mystvearn said:
I am using the same pc which was a W10 enterprise and now upgraded (clean install) to W11 enterprise and I can no longer access my work files on my external HD on this PC. I get this message when I try to unlock the folder:
"The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows."

When I right-click the folder, there is an option to unlock, but when I go to unlock, I still get the same message. Any ideas how do I get access to my external drive?
Click to expand...
Do you see an option to 'turn off' BitLocker? If not, use another computer. It will take time to decrypt the external drive.

Then encrypt the external drive on your upgraded work PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
mystvearn

mystvearn

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Haydon said:
Do you see an option to 'turn off' BitLocker? If not, use another computer. It will take time to decrypt the external drive.

Then encrypt the external drive on your upgraded work PC.
Click to expand...
Yes, but "turn on" for C drive. Not for that drive. Nothing for that drive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Own built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Auros B550M
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060 12 GB
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM, Dell U2715H, 1080p philips monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440*2
    Hard Drives
    1
    PSU
    650W
bobkn

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I did a quick Web search on "The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows." I used the quotation marks. Some of the hits included software tools (paid, I imagine) to work around that. I have no recommendations, as I've never used any.

One obvious free solution would be to restore Win10 Enterprise on the PC, and decrypt the drive. It may not work, though.

Good luck. If you have no backups for the files, I hope they aren't of critical importance.
 

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    homebuilt
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    Intel I9-13900K
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    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
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mystvearn

mystvearn

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bobkn said:
I did a quick Web search on "The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows." I used the quotation marks. Some of the hits included software tools (paid, I imagine) to work around that. I have no recommendations, as I've never used any.

One obvious free solution would be to restore Win10 Enterprise on the PC, and decrypt the drive. It may not work, though.

Good luck. If you have no backups for the files, I hope they aren't of critical importance.
Click to expand...
I found those too, thought not sure if it is paid or some spyware meant for the PC. I did not bother for a solution from non-official channels. I have the data backed up, only that additional data needs to be placed there. That is the problem
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Own built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Auros B550M
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060 12 GB
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM, Dell U2715H, 1080p philips monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440*2
    Hard Drives
    1
    PSU
    650W
Haydon

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mystvearn said:
Yes, but "turn on" for C drive. Not for that drive. Nothing for that drive
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what you mean by that response, but you may be mucking around with BitLocker on your work PC which can be dangerous.

In any case, look for a spare/empty PC with a clean OS installation WITHOUT BitLocker > enter BitLocker key to unlock the external drive > copy contents to a second (non-encrypted) external drive.

You can then encrypt the second external drive on your work PC, and there should not be any problem locking/unlocking the second external drive on your work PC.
 

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DigitalGoat

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mystvearn said:
I am using the same pc which was a W10 enterprise and now upgraded (clean install) to W11 enterprise and I can no longer access my work files on my external HD on this PC. I get this message when I try to unlock the folder:
"The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows."

When I right-click the folder, there is an option to unlock, but when I go to unlock, I still get the same message. Any ideas how do I get access to my external drive?
Click to expand...
This is a list of results from Microsoft regarding BitLocker & issues with it, might be something there or by following a link trail that can help you.
Search results for 'after Windows upgrade can no longer access BitLocker drive' - Microsoft Support
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS Custom 1700
    CPU
    Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Creator B660 D4
    Memory
    64GB DDR 3600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
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    Onboard Realtek
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    Corsair RM1000X Modular
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mystvearn

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Thanks. I will try it. In the worse case scenario, I will backup everything first (from another PC) and then reformat the drive. I had made backups, only that I am not sure if it is the latest of the drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Own built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Auros B550M
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060 12 GB
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM, Dell U2715H, 1080p philips monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440*2
    Hard Drives
    1
    PSU
    650W
C

Comport Colin

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Be aware that external drives use a hard drive controller. If Win11 uses a different driver as compared to Win10, possibly, this driver is the culprit.
I would remove the drive housing and connect it using the native interface and retry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
mystvearn

mystvearn

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I am able to log into the drive from another W11 laptop, W10 PC. It is just not my own W11 PC. I guess that is ok then.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Own built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Auros B550M
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060 12 GB
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2713HM, Dell U2715H, 1080p philips monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440*2
    Hard Drives
    1
    PSU
    650W
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