Windows 10: Virtual Machines (and other data) on BitLocker encrypted external HDD

I recently got enough money to buy a new external 2 TB HDD. I want to store all my music, movies, videos and most of my pictures on it. The things that will take up the most space will certainly be virtual machines. Since I want to protect all of this data, I want to set up BitLocker Drive Encryption on it as soon as I get it.


First question: Should I use Compatible mode or New Encryption mode for this external HDD? I am not sure what operating systems does my school's PCs run at all, but it probably includes Windows 7.


Second question: Will it hurt my external HDD to run virtual machines on it (largest VM for me cap at 64GB, which is Windows 10 Insider Preview) in the long run? Also, I am not really doing too intensive things on these virtual machines, just web browsing, reading things in them, and just admiring their looks and stuff. (I know its a trashy reason to have VMs at all but its enjoyable to me so )


Third question: Are VMs even portable enough with having shared folders and stuff mapped to them which will stay on my PC?


I think these are 3 simple questions that I am too dumb to really know and I don't wanna deal with an external HDD that dies in the span of months. Thanks a lot in advance!

Techincal details:

Host OS: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 64-bit

CPU: i5-7200U
RAM: 8GB
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620 Mobile

PC Model: Dell Vostro 5568

External HDD Model: Maxtor M3 Portable 2TB 2.5" 5400RPM 32MB USB 3.0 Black STSHX-M201TCBM (failure rate 1,6%)

:)

 

Bitlocker encrypted external drive without user authorization

I primarily use a 2TB external hdd on my dell xps laptop.

The laptop is on a Windows 10 home edition OS, with bitlocker turned on by default (possibly by the local distributor of the laptop) on the C drive. I have left it on and made no changes to it.

When i plug in the external hdd into the laptop, it works fine, with no indication that it is encrypted or locked. The bitlocker settings page on the laptop does not show that the drive is encrypted and i can just plug-and-play the hdd with no problems.

But on my desktop PC (or any other PC other than the dell laptop), the same external hdd shows that it is encrypted by bitlocker and requires a 48-digit recovery key, which i do not
have. I have checked on my microsoft account where the recovery key for the laptop is saved, but only the recovery key (with the key ID) for the C drive of the laptop is found, not the external drive.

As i understand, bitlocker-to-go - which encrypts external removable drives - is a feature only available on windows 10 pro. My desktop PC, which i use occasionally with the hdd, is
windows 10 pro. But my laptop is windows 10 home and would not have that feature available to it.

Is it possible that since the laptop C drive is bitlocker encrypted, it somehow extended its encryption to the removable external drive? Because the external drive works perfectly
when connected to the laptop, with no indication that it is bitlocker locked. But if thats the case, why does the laptop 48 digit recovery key didnt work on the external drive? Would it help for me to turn off bitlocker on the laptop and let it decrypt the
C drive? But if i do this, do i leave the external drive connected while it is decrypting the C drive?

I knew the drive is encrypted by bitlocker as the prompt window to unlock the drive states 'Bitlocker #alphabet'

 

Remove BitLocker from my external HDD

Hi everyone. I'll go straight to the point. Is it possible to remove BitLocker encryption on my external HDD?

Someone encrypted my external HDD which contains 100GB of important work related documents. I have the password so I'm still able to view the files on the HDD, but I want to remove the BitLocker encryption because I suspect it's causing problems. Every time
I try to cut/copy files in or out of the HDD, the transfer progress will just get stuck halfway, and my Windows Explorer will stop responding/crash.

I really don't want to lose that 100GB, or I'm going to get fired. At the same, this HDD is as good as trash if I can't transfer files in and out of it.

Can someone please save me?

 

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)

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee424315(v=ws.10).aspx

(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.