Windows 10: Bitlocker on external HDD stuck at 24%

I've made several attempts to encrypt my external HDD. It is a 3TB Western Digital.


On this last attempt it hit 24% in a few hours and sat on that for 2 days.... It gets stuck in the low 20%'s everytime...


Help


Andrew

:)

 

Remove BitLocker from my external HDD

Hi everyone. I'll go straight to the point. Is it possible to remove BitLocker encryption on my external HDD?

Someone encrypted my external HDD which contains 100GB of important work related documents. I have the password so I'm still able to view the files on the HDD, but I want to remove the BitLocker encryption because I suspect it's causing problems. Every time
I try to cut/copy files in or out of the HDD, the transfer progress will just get stuck halfway, and my Windows Explorer will stop responding/crash.

I really don't want to lose that 100GB, or I'm going to get fired. At the same, this HDD is as good as trash if I can't transfer files in and out of it.

Can someone please save me?

 

BitLocker stuck

Hi Tamnu,

Your concern is more complex than what is typically answered here in Microsoft Answers forums. We suggest to post this query in our
TechNet Forums, where the audience are more inclined when it comes to this type of topic.

You may also check out this thread from the TechNet Forums, as it has an answer to a similar concern like yours:

• Bitlocker Decryption Stuck

If you have further queries, don't hesitate to contact us.

 

File back up to bitlockered external drive

Thanks John.

By trial and error the solution is,

• Set the file back up to the desired external USB drive, Back up using file history.
• Run backup to completion.
• Dismount, (Remove) the drive used.
• Remount (Plug in) the drive used for the file back up (Steps 1&2) and encrypt using Bitlocker.

Note you can only encrypt drives using some versions of Windows (Pro for eg not Home)

• Once the external drive has been encrypted dismount.
• Remount the drive, go to the file back up option, Open, Settings, Backup,
  Back up using file history.
• The drive should now still be visible and has been encrypted.
• Accessing the drive will be dependant on how it was set up in Bitlocker,
  Open with this PC, password, pin code etc.
• Repeat file back up as in the first two steps.

Hope this helps someone else.