Windows 10: Bitlocker forced to auto-encrypt on Creators Update?

I've just got a new Dell XPS 9360. Obviously the system installed by default was full of crapware, so I traditionally re-partitioned the drive and installed Windows 10 Creators Update manually.

Surprisingly I noticed that both my partitions were being decrypted the moment Windows started up for the first time. I tried to disable Bitlocker encryption from the Above screen in Settings but failed as it has already started. OK, I allowed it to complete and turned it then off.

However, it kept bothering me why it happened at all. So I reinstalled Windows again from the scratch once again just to see if it repeats. Well, it did partly - the 2nd partition was left with Bitlocker off, but the system partition was again being automatically encrypted!

Do you know why it happens? It never happened before on any Windows 10 version - I always could choose if I want to use Bitlocker or not. I've also installed the same Windows version on some cheaper machine (Dell Inspiron 5567) and drivers didn't get automatically encrypted there.

Can it be anything specific for Dell? Any way to get rid of this?

:)

 

how does bitlocker and creator updated deal with each other

BitLocker is a built in feature of Windows premium business editions such as Pro, Pro Edu, Enterprise, Education and Pro for Workstations.

Before installing a new Feature Update such as the Creators Update, you should disable BitLocker Drive Encryption.

If you are using a third party encryption tool, you should disable or remove it entirely.

• Your Guide to Using BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10

 

Bitlocker To Go with XTS-AES 128 destroyed my 8TB Hard Drive (Windows 10 1511/10586/November Update)

It's too dangerous to not use Bitlocker these days. If you don't use Bitlocker then this thread isn't for you. Again, searching for those that use XTS-AES Bitlocker encryption on Windows 10 1703/15063/Creators Update.

 

Hmmm... I found some information on Dell's support page:

Microsoft BitLocker enabled when Windows 10 is shipped.

Dell systems that ship with the Windows 10 operating system and are equipped with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) capability will have Microsoft BitLocker encryption enabled from the factory. BitLocker drive encryption prevents the application of image files used to restore the Dell Factory Image.

But is there any way of getting rid of enabling Bitlocker by default?

 

It's a feature since Windows 8.1. All computers which meet certain hardware specifications (called 'InstantGo' for Windows 8.1, although I think it's less stringent for Windows 10, but it does require non-rotational/ solid state drive for the system drive) will have Device Encryption turned on on the system drive. This is all versions of Windows, even Windows 10 Home which don't have full Bitlocker.

I believe you can turn it off in Settings - on my tablet it's in Settings under System, then About, and Device Encryption is at the bottom. (Although I'm still running an older version of Windows 10 on it - need to free up some disk space before it will upgrade - so the option may have moved.)

Edit: or you could open Settings and type Encryption into the search box, which may find it.

Edit2: from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...iew-windows-10

 

Many thanks for that, I appreciate it!

Well, it then looks it's the Dell machine I got that "causes" this. My all previous machines (incl. XPS 15 9550) never offered encryption by default, regardless of what Windows version I was using (and I did tens of fresh installs...).