Windows 10: I have a USB that i encrypted using bitlocker on Windows 11 pro, after a few updates my usb...

I plug in my USB drive and it shows up but no bitlocker symbol, nor does it prompt me to input a password or recovery key. I've been doing some trouble shooting and to no avail, i'm still at a standstill. I've been avoiding any reformatting due to irrecoverable information stored on said device. I've encrypted it on Windows 11 Pro, im not super tech savvy, i know my way around sure but only to an extent. Windows is saying the device is working properly but shows zero bytes and so forth. Any help is appreciated. I know its a vague description of my problem but im hoping someone has any kind of

:)

 

External USB HDD drive bitlocker encrypted without a key

Hello CatchyWater7200,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.

I am aware that you're having trouble accessing your external USB disk drive that has been encrypted by BitLocker. I am here to help. Allow me to ask a question.

• Would you mind sharing what exactly the message shows when ask for the USB key?
  

Your drive appears to have been encrypted using BitLocker, a function that guards your data against illegal access. For access to the drive, BitLocker requires a password or recovery key. Since you don't have a BitLocker USB key, you can try using the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the drive. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Connect the external USB disk drive to your Surface Pro 6.
   
2. When prompted to enter the BitLocker key, click on "More options". Or you can enter "Esc" key or the Windows key to continue.
   
3. Click on "Enter recovery key".
   
4. Enter the BitLocker recovery key that you found on your Microsoft account.
   
5. Click on "Unlock".
   

If the above steps don't work, you can try disabling BitLocker on the external USB disk drive. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Connect the external USB disk drive to your Surface Pro 6.
   
2. Open File Explorer and right-click on the external USB disk drive.
   
3. Click on "Manage BitLocker".
   
4. Click on "Turn off BitLocker".
   
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to disable BitLocker on the external USB disk drive.
   

Please note that disabling BitLocker will remove the encryption from the external USB disk drive and make it less secure. Therefore, it's recommended to re-enable BitLocker once you've accessed your files and photos.

Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Lavenia

 

Protecting files on a USB stick?

Do you have a version of Windows 7 that has BitLocker?
BitLocker is only available in the Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions.

Here are some web sited that explain it:

Quote from WindowsNetworking.com:

Another: Encrypt Removable USB Flash Drives with BitLocker @ Tweaks.com

And, Secure your USB drives with BitLocker To Go for Windows 7 @ TechRepublic

 

Bitlocker USB

Hi, Margaret.

BitLocker requires you to have a USB key in able to access the information. You can create a USB key by using a blank thumb drive or USB drive formatted to NTFS OR FAT32 and follow these steps:

• Click Start and go to Control Panel.
• Look for System and Security then click it.
• Select BitLocker Drive Encryption.
• Under BitLocker Drive Encryption, click Turn on BitLocker.
• Choose how you want to unlock your drive during startup: Insert a USB flash drive or
  Enter a Password and then click Next.
• On the How Do You Want To Store Your Recovery Key Page, click Save the Recovery Key To A File.
• In the Save BitLocker Recovery Key As dialog box, choose a save location, and then click
  Save.
• You can now print the recovery key if you want to. When you have finished, click
  Next.
• On the Are You Ready To Encrypt This Drive page, click Start Encrypting.

Note: Do not remove the USB flash drive until the encryption process is complete. How long the encryption process takes depends on the size of the drive and other factors.

Get back to us if you need further assistance.