Windows 10 upgrade while encrypted with VeraCrypt

Question

I want to upgrade to Windows 10 but I don't want to decrypt my system partition because it takes 21 hours..

Is it possible to upgrade without decrypting?

Answer 1

Is it possible to upgrade without decrypting?

No.

If the system partition/drive is encrypted and you want to reinstall or upgrade Windows, you need to decrypt it first (select System > Permanently Decrypt System Partition/Drive).

Source VeraCrypt FAQ

Answer 2

The situation has changed since 2016 from DavidPostill's original answer, the VeraCrypt FAQ has a note added to it (emphasis mine):

Note: If the system partition/drive is encrypted and you want to reinstall or upgrade Windows, you need to decrypt it first (select System > Permanently Decrypt System Partition/Drive). However, a running operating system can be updated (security patches, service packs, etc.) without any problems even when the system partition/drive is encrypted.

This change was likely introduced with VeraCrypt 1.23, released in 2018. From the changelog:

Add compatibility of system encryption with Windows 10 upgrade using ReflectDrivers mechanism

From personal experience: I have successfully upgraded Windows 10 from 1809 to 1909, and most recently from 1909 to 20H2 using Windows Update, without having to decrypt my system volumes or hard drives.

Answer 3

I and many others had success using Windows 10 media patcher for upgrading VeraCrypt-encrypted systems, you should try it.

Answer 4

You need to decrypt first. I am currently decrypting 1 TB and it takes only 85 minutes. So if you still thinks it takes a long time then you need a faster SSD.

Some people here thinks that updating from 1909 to 2004 is an upgrade. It is not. That is only a regular update of the existing windows version. When uprading to a new Windows, like windows 10 to windows 11, you absolutly need to decrypt, or you will have a computer that can not be used.