Windows 10: Can't access external SSD drive which is encrypted

Hi there.

I have an SSD drive that used to be my old laptop's main drive. It was encrypted using Win 8 bitlocker. I know the password.

One day, the laptop stopped turning on. The fans switched on and the lights were there, but booting did not take place.

I have a new laptop (Win 10 Pro) now and want to access the filed on the old SSD. I have connected it using a cable to the new laptop. I see the drive in the device manager. I also see it in windows explorer. However, I can't do anything with it. If I double click on it the windows explorer freezes. If I right click on it, the window also freezes. I have tried clicking "disable device" in device manager, it also causes it to freeze. If I unplug it, everything unfreezes.

I would welcome any tips for how to access files on the old SSD if that is still possible.

:)

 

external drive and encryption?

This question is two-fold.

First I would like an external enclosure that is rugged and shock resistant (static electricity and the like, being winter and all) for a 3.5inch SATA drive.
Barring that, an external drive with the above. What would you guys recommend?

Also, I was wondering, is there a tool to encrypt the entire hard drive, but that does NOT ask to format said encrypted disk? I tried TrueCrypt, and last time I did, it asked me to format the drive because it was not recognized. I know there are alternatives, but I forgot their names. Price is of no concern if it is able to do so. any suggestions? Does Windows not show "drive must be formatted" on TrueCrypt drives anymore?

Best way would be if I plug in the drive, it asks for password automatically or something...

 

Encrypted External Drive that cannot be opened.

Hi Sana,

It is a good idea to use Bitlocker to protect hard drives. Please provide the following needed information:

1. How do you try to access the drive?

2. Do you get any pop-up message when trying to access the drive?

3. Is this an external hard drive?

You can turn off Bitlocker Drive Encryption by following these steps:

• 
  Login as Administrator to your PC.
  
• 
  Click Start, click Control Panel, click
  Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  
• 
  From the BitLocker Drive Encryption page, find the volume on which you want BitLocker Drive Encryption turned off, and click
  Turn Off BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  
• 
  From the What level of decryption do you want dialog box, click either
  Disable BitLocker Drive Encryption or Decrypt the volume as needed.
  

Regards.

 

External detected but can't access

This is usually a good troubleshooting option for retrieving data from external drives that are out of warranty.
However, My Passport series are external drives incorporating a hardware encryption. Getting the drive out of the enclosure will make it impossible to access or use! That's why the best thing you can do is to try resolving the issue with the drive in the enclosure. Only if nothing works, the next best thing to do is contact a data recovery company or directly our tech support for further instructions.
Otherwise, it is true! External drives without a hardware encryption can be easily accessed without the enclosure, just by using a SATA cable as @Aquinus suggested.
Unfortunately, in your case this is not a good option, especially because it will void your warranty. Sorry. *Frown