Windows 10: Unable to change Bitlocker password on External hard disk

Hi,


I am running Windows 10 Pro on my personal laptop. I had encrypted one of my external hard disks using Bitlocker couple of years back and it is running fine. However when I try to change the password it gives me error saying "The drive cannot be encrypted because it contains system boot information. Create a separate partition for use...".


I have tried using the Manage Bitlocker option as well and it didn't help.


Thanks in advance.

:)

 

Renamed external disk defaults to 'Local Disk'. Maybe something to do with BitLocker?

Hi Russell,

The issue you're experiencing with modifying the name of your external hard disk might be caused by a misconfiguration with BitLocker. We'll need additional information to properly address your concern. Please answer the following questions:

• Are you getting any error messages?
• How did you modify the name of the external hard disk? Did you change it through the File Explorer or through Disk Management? Also, is BitLocker disabled when you changed the name of the storage device?
• Is the external hard disk showing the same issue when you connect it to a different PC?

If you haven't tried it yet, you can modify the external hard disk name using an elevated
Command Prompt:

• Select the Start button.
• Type Command Prompt.
• Right-click Command Prompt and then select
  Run as administrator.
• If prompted, click Yes or enter the administrator password.
• In the Command Prompt window, type the command below and then hit Enter.
  • label <drive letter>: <desired name>
  • Replace <drive letter> with the actual driver letter of the external hard disk.
  • For example: label E: Backup files
• Restart your PC.

We'll be waiting for your response.

 

External Hard disk contents are not visible.

Hi Pranoti,

For us to narrow down your concern with your external hard disk, we would like to know the following:

• Were there any changes made on your computer prior to the issue (e.g., updates, software installation)?
• To make sure that we have not missed on anything, what troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Do you hear any clicking sound when connecting your hard disk?

In the meantime, we suggest that you update all your device driver.

We look forward to your response.

 

Unable to change BitLocker password

Hi Igor

My name is Jon and I am an independent technical adviser. Sorry to hear you are experiencing issues and I would really like to help you find a resolution.

Method 1: Change BitLocker Password from Windows Explorer

Right-click on the BitLocker encrypted drive in Windows Explorer, and select Change BitLocker password from the context menu.

Note: if the encrypted drive shows a gold lock on the icon, then you can’t see the “Change Bitlocker password” option in the context menu, and you need to unlock the BitLocker drive first.

Enter the old password, followed by the new password (entered twice), and then click Change password.

You should see a message that the password has been changed successfully in the same window.

Method 2: Change BitLocker Password from Control Panel

Open the Control Panel and select Large icons in the View by drop-down menu. Click BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Expand the drive for which you want to change the BitLocker password, and click Change password from the list of options.

When the Change Password window appears, type your old password and new password. Click Change password.

Now you’ve changed your BitLocker password.

Method 3: Change BitLocker Password Using Command Line

Open the Command Prompt as administrator.

Assuming you’re going to change Bitlocker password for drive D:, type the following command and hit Enter.

manage-bde -changepassword d:

You’ll be prompted to enter the new password twice. Note: your password won’t be shown while you’re typing.

When the password has been successfully changed, you can close Command Prompt. Every time you boot into Windows, you can unlock the BitLocker drive with the new password.

Hope this helps.