1

I'm hoping someone can help. I'm not a techy and can't seem to find the same question already answered.

I went to encrypt (using BitLocker) a Buffalo hard drive but after it took about 1 min to reach 0.2% 'encrypted' I decided to pause and eject, thinking this would have ended the encryption process. However, I had already assigned a password to it on the instruction pre the encryption beginning. I've since connected my hard drive again and I'm asked to input the password. If I don't I cannot access the drive. However, if I do, I CAN access the files but straight away the little BitLocker Drive Encryption dialogue box comes up saying Encryption in progress.. which I have the option to Pause. So I hit Pause straight away as I do not want to go through with the encryption. Is there any way I can stop the process and decrypt before encryption is completed? Or am I forever going to need to Pause quickly and eject. I fear that will affect my hard drive longer term.

Thanks.

Matthew Nagear
  • 11

2 Answers2

1

According to a thread on a thread on Microsoft Answers, you should be able to select "Decrypt drive", "Turn off BitLocker" or a similar option in the BitLocker control panel.

I'm currently away from my PC and cannot confirm this personally, though.

user219095
  • 65,551
0

Bitlocker can be managed via command line

For example, in my environment we use manage-bde -protectors -disabled <volume> to "suspend" a drive and then manage-bde -protectors -enable <volume> to "resume" the drive.

To answer your question, you can turn off your drive using manage-bde -off <volume> using the command line. You should receive a prompt detailing the progress of the decryption.

Nathan Goings
  • 133