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BitLocker just encrypted a drive on my PC and I can't unlock it

GreekWasabi
By GreekWasabi
in Troubleshooting
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I have Windows 11 Home (not Pro) and turned my PC on to discover that one of my storage drives is suddenly encrypted with BitLocker.  When I go to unlock it, I get an error message that the version of windows isn't compatible with the encryption.

 

The drive is actually an iscsi drive I've setup to my NAS.  It's not local.  Any idea how I can get this unlocked? 

 

Thank you!

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37 minutes ago, GreekWasabi said:

I have Windows 11 Home (not Pro) and turned my PC on to discover that one of my storage drives is suddenly encrypted with BitLocker.  When I go to unlock it, I get an error message that the version of windows isn't compatible with the encryption.

 

The drive is actually an iscsi drive I've setup to my NAS.  It's not local.  Any idea how I can get this unlocked? 

 

Thank you!

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Windows 11 Home doesn't use BitLocker, but rather a tuned down version called Drive Encryption. You should be able to turn it off from Settings  > Update & Security > Device encryption.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/device-encryption-in-windows-ad5dcf4b-dbe0-2331-228f-7925c2a3012d#:~:text=To turn on Windows device encryption&text=Select the Start button%2C then,turned off%2C select Turn on.

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20 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Windows 11 Home doesn't use BitLocker, but rather a tuned down version called Drive Encryption. You should be able to turn it off from Settings  > Update & Security > Device encryption.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/device-encryption-in-windows-ad5dcf4b-dbe0-2331-228f-7925c2a3012d#:~:text=To turn on Windows device encryption&text=Select the Start button%2C then,turned off%2C select Turn on.

Thank you.  However the device encryption is already disabled, and everywhere I look the drive is specifically BitLocker Encrypted. 

 

In sysinfo the "device encryption support" says "Reasons for failed automatic device encryption: PCR7 binding is not supported, Un-allowed DMA capable bus/device(s) detected, WinRE is not configured."  And I definitely have Home, not Pro...

 

Is it possible to force decrypt in recovery mode or the command prompt? 

 

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14 hours ago, spunk.funk said:

Try turning Bit Locker OFF https://www.howtogeek.com/805225/disable-bitlocker/

Yeah that's the thing I can't.... because I'm on Win 11 Home.... and I don't have access to bitlocker.

 

I honestly don't know how this happened.  I've never owned a Pro edition, yet BitLocker has this drive locked...

 

 

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The instructions are for Windows 11?

Go to Search and type Control Panel and press Enter. Select BitLocker Drive Encryption. 

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