Every time I start my all-in-one it asks for the Bitlocker key!

[Rolandsizzers01]

Had the computer for a few weeks. Suddenly it asked for the Bitlocker code which I can retrieve from Microsoft. But now it asks for it every time I restart the computer. I haven't changed the OS or any hardware. How do I stop this from happening? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

If you do not want or need your drive encrypted, turn off BitLocker.

How to Turn Off BitLocker Windows 11 [Quick Tip]

[Rolandsizzers01]

Hi.  That option is only available with Win 11 Pro.  It doesn't exist in Win 11 Home?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

I didn't know that.

All of my PC's run W11 Pro.

Watch this video.  I could not find one in English.

How To Disable BitLocker On Windows 11 Home - YouTube

It seems like it can be done using Power Shell and, in the video, the author disabled BitLocker on the (D) drive.

I'm assuming in your PC you only have one drive C: so that would be the drive letter you would want to enter in the commands.

In any event turn off BitLocker on the drive letter in your PC that is encrypted.

[Rolandsizzers01]

OK. Fixed. 

It appears that anyone installing Win 11 Home since Dec 24 will get their drive encrypted with Bitlocker by default. However none of the Bitlocker tools are included in Win 11 home! New HP bios seem to have something set that indicates a hardware change to Win 11, hence you get prompted to input your key on every restart. Luckily I set up a Microsoft account and could retrieve my key, many others online are screwed!

Thanks for the link. Using the following command line options has decrypted my drive:

manage-bde - unlock C: -password

This asks for the massive key and unlocks access

manage-bde -off C:

This starts the decryption process

manage-bde - status C:

Shows how it is getting on.. 

For the above replace C: with your drive letter as appropriate... When complete the padlock icon on your drive in explorer disappears. 

Note that all the other advice on the Internet only works for Win 11 Pro. Even the hopeful 'disable bitlocker' button in settings/drives/disks and volumes/ advance settings. Doesn't do anything! 

Thanks to Paul for the advice. It is a bit daunting typing Powershell commands on your new computer but unless HP fixes it's bios it will affect many more people?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Glad that the instructions in that video were of help to you for getting BitLocker turned off.

That is not good for this feature to be turned on by default, and yes, there are dozens and dozens of posts from other members asking how to find their BitLocker recovery keys and if they didn't print the key down or export it to their Microsoft account, they are out of luck.

In order to use a PC where the drive was encrypted and no key to decrypt it with, one has to clean install Windows on the encrypted drive, and of course all data on the drive is unrecoverable.

Cheers,

Paul