Windows 10: existing bitlocker encrypted storage pool after re-installation of OS

I am currently using the Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation (90-day trial licence). I am trying out Windows 10 to evaluate the Bitlocker encryption and storage pool features. I am nearing the end of my trial period and will need to purchase a license to continue using Windows.

I understand that there is no way to continue to use my existing installation of Windows 10 Enterprise after the trial ends, and that I will need to wipe the OS and clean install (a regular non-enterprise version of) Windows.

I would like to purchase Windows 10 Pro and install that.

I currently have the OS on a SSD, and two (other) hard drives configured as a bitlocker encrypted storage pool for my data. What will happen to my existing bitlocker encrypted storage pool after I wipe the OS (SSD) and clean install Windows 10 Pro? Will the new install of Windows see my encrypted storage pool and allow me to use my password to unlock it?

:)

 

Windows 10 Mobile SD Card Encryption

Hi Nyima

Device encryption is not a problem. My onboard storage on my 950XL is being encrypted correctly. The problem is that W10M will not encrypt SD cards installed on the phone and therefore my organization has blocked access to my SD card. For a phone that has
so much potential in the work environment this is a major failure. My colleagues Android device has no such problem as his OS can encrypt SD cards. If Bitlocker On The Go exists why doesn't Microsoft also apply it to W10M??

Chris

 

Cyan for Dev Preview

Mike:

Thanks for the for finally fixing the bitlocker issue, and providing Cyan to the **** Program: My *bitlocker-encrypted* L820 VOD-DE installed Cyan smoothly and re-updated to the current **** OS version afterwards.

G.

 

Hello zeb1s, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

If you like, you could use the method in the tutorial below to directly downgrade from Enterprise to Pro without losing anything or affecting your BitLocker encrypted storage pool.

*Arrow Downgrade Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

To be extra safe, you should backup your BitLocker recovery key to another drive (ex: USB flash drive) than your Windows drive or storage pool.

*Arrow Backup BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10 Windows 10 Security System Tutorials

 

Thanks. That first link pertains to Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview, not Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation. Apparently these are two different builds and have different options in Settings>Activation. I do not have the "Change Product Key" on my Settings>Activation screen.

I also looked at Change Product Key in Windows 10
I tried options 1-4 and they all took me to the same Settings>Activation screen with no "Change Product Key" function available.

That leaves only option 5, using the elevated command prompt AKA Windows PowerShell Admin, which I have not tried.

I might try using the generic product key (as suggested in the tutorial) together with the option 5 method just to see if the downgrade itself works, then activate with a valid key after I purchase Win 10 Pro later. However, it might just be better to do a clean install of Win 10 Pro anyway. As long as I can keep my storage pool intact, I don't see any reason to not do a clean install other than the hassle of needing to reinstall software and settings.

I agree that it is a good idea to have a backup of the bitlocker recovery key on a separate storage device.

 

You can unlock bitlocker drives on another OS - that isn't a problem (See FAQ).

You can unlock it like this, changing E: to whatever volume you want to unlock:
manage-bde –unlock E: -recoverypassword <enter bitlocker recovery key here>

or if you saved the key to a .bek file on USB key for example:
manage-bde –unlock E: -recoverykey "F:\Backupkeys\recoverykey.bek" Manage-bde: unlock

If you are autounlocking you need operating system drive encrypted first.

So you'd need to install Pro, encrypt C: with bitlocker then enter this (after first unlocking the volume):
manage-bde -autounlock -enable E:

 

The tutorial is for all Enterprise editions to Pro. I only just happened to have an Insider Preview installed when creating the screenshots.

You should be able to change the product key using option 5.