Windows 10: Accessing Files from Bitlocked HDD

Hello,My old laptop HDD is bitlocked and i cant seem to find the key anywhere. This happened after I switched my old laptop HDD to my new Dell G5 laptop and then back to the old laptop. Unfortunatly, there is no sign of the key anywhere and I have a lot of university files stored in the old HDD.Is there anyway i can access the files and back them up?

:)

 

Bitlocker

Hello Nandana,

To enable BitLocker on your computer, you follow the steps below:

• Sign in to your Windows account with an administrator access.
• Press the Windows key.
• Type and enter BitLocker.
• Click Turn on BitLocker.
• If the system is asking to sing in to administrator access, please do so.

For additional information about BitLocker, we suggest that you check the frequently ask question on this
link. The link provided applies to Windows 8.1 to higher version.

If you have other concerns, don't hesitate to reach us.

 

How can delete a bad folder on external bitlocker hdd ?

Hi JClaude B,



Thank you for posting your concern on Microsoft Community Forums.

1. Do you remember the BitLocker recovery key?
   
2. What is the error message you are getting, while you are trying to delete the folder?

The files on a BitLocker encrypted storage device are secure and cannot be easily decrypted by any software. If someone would attempt to access the files, they will need the BitLocker recovery key.



I suggest you to decrypt the drive first, then take the ownership of the file and then delete the folder or file. Follow this article

Find my BitLocker recovery key, and check if that helps.



Steps: Taking ownership of a folder from explorer.

1. Locate the file or folder on which you want to take ownership in windows explorer.
   
2. Right click on file or folder and select
   Properties from Context Menu.
   
3. Click on Security tab.
   
4. Click on Advanced button.
   
5. Now click on Owner tab in Advanced Security Settings for User windows.
   
6. Click on Edit Button and select user from given Change Owner to list if user or group is not in given list.
   
7. Click on other users or groups. Enter name of user/group and click ok.
   
8. Now select User/group and click apply and ok. Check
   “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” if you have files and folder within selected folder.
   
9. Click ok when Windows Security Prompt is displayed.
   
10. Now Owner name must have changed.
    
11. Then click Ok to exist from Properties windows.
    

Regards,

 

unlock hdd