How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows (2024)

Table of Contents:

1. Enabling the TPM
2. Enabling BitLocker in the operating system
3. Checking BitLocker status (Manage BitLocker Console)
4. Checking BitLocker Status (Command Line)
5. Suspending BitLocker
6. Disabling BitLocker
7. BitLocker Encryption Videos

Enabling and Disabling BitLocker in Windows7, Windows8, Windows10 and Windows11

Windows BitLocker has become a solution for users to secure their data. The following is how to enable and disable BitLocker using the standard methods.

This article does not discuss the utilization of a USB as a TPM replacement and does not discuss Group Policy changes for advanced features. Domain level Group Policy changes and network-managed BitLocker setups are Best Effort and are out of the scope of support. Supported configurations are limited to single computers and locally managed BitLocker setups.

NOTE: Systems with Skylake chipsets need a specific setup in order for BitLocker to work correctly. If a Skylake computer is prompting for the recovery key even with the following settings, ENSURE that the BIOS is up to date.

• All Operating Systems that are configured in Legacy Boot Mode must use TPM 1.2. It is recommended that the BIOS be updated to the latest revision.
• All Operating Systems that are configured in UEFI Boot Mode can use either TPM 1.2, or TPM 2.0. It is recommended that the BIOS be updated to the latest revision.
• If a Windows 7 computer is configured for UEFI Boot Mode, this patch must be applied in order to use TPM 2.0: Microsoft TPM 2.0 Patch
• Exceptions to this are the Latitude 5175 and Latitude 7275, both of which only have TPM 2.0 and cannot downgrade to 1.2.

1. Enabling the TPM

NOTE: Ensure that the TPM is Activated or Enabled after switching it on, if the option is present. Switching the TPM on does not automatically enable it to communicate with the operating system. Enabling the TPM is necessary for the operating system to take ownership of the TPM chip to store encryption keys.

1. Turn the computer on.
2. As the computer performs POST, press the hotkey (usually F2, or Delete) to enter the BIOS.
3. Once in the BIOS, locate the section that configures Security.
4. In the Security section, locate the TPM option.
5. Select the TPM 2.0 or 1.2 section on the left.

   
   Figure 1: (English Only) Select the TPM 2.0 or 1.2

6. Check the TPM box on the right to turn on the TPM.
7. After switching the TPM on, select the option to Activate or Enable the TPM

   
   Figure 2: (English Only) Select the option to Activate or Enable the TPM

8. After the TPM has been activated and enabled, click Save changes and Exit the BIOS.

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2. Enabling BitLocker in the operating system

1. Turn the computer on.
2. Sign into the operating system as normal.
3. Get to the BitLocker management section in one of the following ways:

   Windows 7

   Windows 8

   Windows10 and Windows11

   1. Start Menu path.
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. In the search box, Manage BitLocker.
      3. Press Enter or click the Manage BitLocker icon in the list.
   2. Control Panel path
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Click the Control Panel.
      3. Click System and Security.
      4. Click any option under BitLocker Drive Encryption.
   3. Hard drive path
      1. Open Computer or My Computer
         • Alternatively, click the File Explorer icon and select your computer.
      2. Select the Encryption:\ (or Windows computer) drive.
      3. Right-click the drive that you selected.
      4. Click Turn on BitLocker.

         Note: This skips the initial BitLocker screen.

   4. App Screen path
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Open the search box, Manage BitLocker.
      3. Press Enter or click the Manage BitLocker icon in the list.
   5. Control Panel path
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Open the search box, type Control Panel.
      3. Click System and Security or search BitLocker in the Control Panel window.
      4. Click any option under BitLocker Drive Encryption.
   6. Hard drive path
      1. Open Computer or My Computer
         • Alternatively, click the File Explorer icon and select your computer.
      2. Select the C:\ (or Windows computer) drive.
      3. Right-click the drive that you selected.
      4. Click Turn on BitLocker.

         Note: This skips the initial BitLocker screen.

   7. Start Menu path.
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Windows 10: In the search box, type Manage BitLocker.
         Windows 11: In the search box, type Device Encryption.
      3. Press Enter or click the Manage BitLocker icon in the list.
   8. Control Panel path
      1. Right-Click on the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Click the Control Panel.
      3. Click System and Security.
      4. Click any option under BitLocker Drive Encryption.
   9. Settings path
      1. Click the Windows Start Menu button.
      2. Click the Settings icon.
      3. In the search box, type Manage BitLocker.
      4. Press Enter or click the Manage BitLocker icon in the list.
   10. Hard drive path
       1. Open Computer or My Computer
       2. Select the C:\ (or Windows computer) drive.
       3. Right-click the drive that you selected.
       4. Click Turn on BitLocker.

          Note: This skips the initial BitLocker screen.

4. In the BitLocker Management screen, click Turn on BitLocker.

   
   Figure 3: (English Only) Click Turn on BitLocker

5. BitLocker goes through a short initialization process.

   
   Figure 4: (English Only) Starting BitLocker

6. Choose one of three options for saving the recovery key.

   
   Figure 5: (English Only) Save the recovery key

Caution: This key must be saved in a safe location. If access to the drive is ever needed, this is the recovery key that is used to access the drive. If the key is lost, there is no option for recovering data from a locked drive, and the operating system must be reinstalled. This key is unique for each computer and only works on the computer that it was created for.

Figure 6: (English Only) Save key in a safe location

1. After saving the password file, click Next.
2. Select one of the volume encryption options.
   1. Encrypt entire hard drive.
      • This encrypts all space on the hard drive regardless of whether it is used. This takes longer to process the encryption.
   2. Encrypt on used space.
      • This only encrypts space on the hard drive as it is filled with data and leave free space unencrypted. This is preferred for basic encryption as it is faster.
        

        
        Figure 7: (English Only) Choose how much of your drive to encrypt

3. After selecting encryption option, click Next.
4. Choose the type of encryption to use if you get the encryption type selection.
   
   • New mode is the preferred method of encryption for new computers.
     

     
     Figure 8: (English Only) Choose the type of encryption to use

5. Click Next
6. Check that the box labeled "Run BitLocker system check."

   
   Figure 9: (English Only) Check Run BitLocker system check

7. Click Continue
8. Restart the computer after verifying the settings to begin the encryption.
   

   NOTE: Encryption can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple hours depending on the amount of data that has been encrypted, the speed of the computer, and whether the process is interrupted by the computer being turned off or going to sleep. The BitLocker encryption does not start until the computer is restarted. If work must be completed, it is safe to complete work and save it before restarting.

   
   Figure 10: (English Only) Restart computer to begin encryption

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3. Checking BitLocker status (Manage BitLocker Console)

1. Open the Manage BitLocker console with one of the methods previously described.
2. View the status that is reported in the console.
   
   • If encrypting, the status shows that BitLocker is encrypting.
   • If encrypted, the status shows that BitLocker is on and show a lock icon.

     
     Figure 11: (English Only) Checking BitLocker status using BitLocker Console

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4. Checking BitLocker Status (Command Line)

1. Open a command prompt window.
2. Click the Windows Start button, type cmd and press Enter.
3. Press and hold the Windows button on the keyboard and R, type cmd and press Enter.
4. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator."
5. In the command prompt, type manage-bde -status and press Enter.
6. View the status of BitLocker on the drives in the computer.

   
   Figure 12: (English Only) Checking BitLocker Status using Command Line

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5. Suspending BitLocker

Note: Suspending BitLocker temporarily may be required for certain computer maintenance and updates. When updating the BIOS, ALWAYS suspend BitLocker prior to running the update. If BitLocker is active during the update, all stored keys on the TPM are LOST.

1. Start the computer.
2. Boot into the Windows operating system.
3. Open the Manage BitLocker windows with one of the above methods.
4. Click Suspend Protection for the wanted drive.

   
   Figure 13: (English Only) Suspending BitLocker

5. Review the warning prompt and click Yes to suspend BitLocker.

   
   Figure 14: (English Only) Review the warning and click Yes to suspend BitLocker

6. Return to the Manage BitLocker window to Resume Protection.

   
   Figure 15: (English Only) Click Resume protection to Resume BitLocker protection

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6. Disabling BitLocker

NOTE: Decryption can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours. The time depends on the amount of data that has been encrypted, the speed of the computer, and whether the process is interrupted. Interruptions include the computer being turned off or going to sleep. Progress can be checked at any time using one of the previous methods for checking BitLocker status.

1. Start the computer.
2. Boot into the Windows operating system
3. Open the Manage BitLocker windows with one of the above methods.
4. Click Turn off BitLocker.

   
   Figure 16: (English Only) Click turn off BitLocker to disable BitLocker

5. Confirm the decision to turn off BitLocker.

   
   Figure 17: (English Only) Confirm the decision to turn off BitLocker

6. Allow the computer to decrypt.

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7. BitLocker Encryption Videos

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