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


mystvearn

Well-known member
Local time
1:15 AM
Posts
23
OS
Windows 11 Enterprise
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
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?
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
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.
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
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
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.
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
Yes, but "turn on" for C drive. Not for that drive. Nothing for that drive
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
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?
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
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte G32QC 32inch 16:9 curved @2560 x 1440p 165Hz Freesync Premium Pro/ Dell SE2422H 24inch 16:9 1920 x 1080p 75Hz Freesync
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p & 1920 x 1080p
    Hard Drives
    WD SN570 1TB NVME (Boot), Samsung 870QVO 1TB (SSD), SanDisk 3D Ultra 500Gb (SSD) x2, Seagate 3Tb Expansion Desk (Ext HDD), 2x Toshiba 1Tb P300 (Ext HDD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow Desktop
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i RGB Pro XT 360mm Liquid Cooler, 3 x 120mm fans, 1x Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    800Mbs
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
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
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
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
If the other win11 laptop has different hardware, then the combination of USB-Port and external USB-controller can lead to different results.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11

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