Windows 10: How can I erase a BitLocker encrypted disk

Hi, I am thinking about turning on BitLocker. My question is how can I erase a BitLocker encrypted partition without a Recovery key if I ever run into this issue? I know that without a recovery key your data is gone, but how can I erase a disk without a recovery key?

:)

 

Secure erase single directory on BitLocker-encrypted SSD

Good. This means the data you want securely erased is already encrypted. All that remains is to destroy the encryption keys which will render the data unrecoverable. Here's how to do this on your volume which is currently BitLocker-encrypted:

1. Delete the data you want to erase. Empty the Recycle Bin.
   
2. Turn off BitLocker and allow it to fully decrypt the drive.
   
   Note: Check this by running manage-bde -status from an elevated command prompt and observing that the fields shown here match the screen shot:
   
   
   
   
3. (Optionally) Turn BitLocker back on.
   

When you completely disable BitLocker on a volume, the Full-Volume Encryption Key (FVEK) used to encrypt the disk's sectors is deleted. So, even if there are bits remaining on the SSD from the data you deleted (and there almost certainly are), they are encrypted with a key that no longer exists.

Warning! Changing the volume's key protectors (e.g. a PIN, Recovery Key, TPM) does not change the FVEK. And only deleting the FVEK is sufficient to permanently prevent access to data encrypted with said key.

Additional Information

• Keys to Protecting Data with BitLocker Drive Encryption
  
• How to Check BitLocker Drive Encryption Status for Drive in Windows 10
  
• BitLocker Key Management FAQ
  

 

Secure erase single directory on BitLocker-encrypted SSD

(How) Can I secure erase a single directory (or even file) on an SSD?

I'm returning a work laptop to my former employer that I was allowed to and did use for private matters. Normally colleagues just remove their data and not even their Windows user.

All my sensitive data is in my user folder, so I'd like to just secure erase that.

The SSD is a SanDisk SD6SB1m-128G-1006. SanDisk has a tool called SanDisk SSD Toolkit or SanDisk SSD Dashboard that does supports secure erasing.
(Note that SanDisk calls clearing the mapping table secure erasing and calls the actual erasing of the blocks sanitizing, while I call the latter secure erase.)

My goal is to actually erase the user folder's data.

More information:

• My OS is Win 10 1803 and the SSD is NTFS formatted.
  
• The disk is Bitlocker encrypted
  
• The computer is part of a windows domain
  
• The company heavily customized the Windows installation w/ logon scripts, registry hacks, group policies (which are synced however) and whatnot
  
• Creating system images is disabled
  
• I think I can boot from USB
  

I don't think it's worth the effort anyway, but could I create a disk image with a third party tool, which skips unassigned sectors/blocks?

Would restoring that image (after removing and recreating the BitLocker encryption) work if it skipped unassigned sectors/blocks?

Does Windows save critical information in unassigned blocks (and prevent drivers from overwriting it)? Or did only 90s copy protections do so?

 

BitLocker Encrypted Hard Drive to MAC

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me help you.



I suggest you to perform below mentioned steps to disable BitLocker.

To disable BitLocker I would suggest you try the following steps and see if it helps.

• 
  Press Windows key + X and click on
  Control Panel.
  
• 
  Change View by from Category
  to Large Icons/Small Icons.
  
• 
  Click on BitLocker Drive Encryption and click on
  Turn BitLocker Off.
  
• 
  Follow on screen instructions. Click on Decrypt the Drive
  when the message appears.
  

I would suggest you click on the link below and refer the following article.

Scenario 12: Turning Off BitLocker Drive Encryption (Windows 7)

Scenario 12: Turning Off BitLocker Drive Encryption (Windows 7)

(You can refer the steps in the above link as they are applicable for Windows 10 as well)



Check if it helps.



I hope the information helps. Please keep us posted on the issue. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Thank you.