How to reset external hard drive bitlocker recovery​？

Resetting BitLocker on an external hard drive can be a complex but manageable process, especially if you’re trying to regain access to encrypted data. 

BitLocker Encryption

BitLocker is a security feature available on certain editions of Windows, such as Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, that encrypts drives to protect data. When enabled, BitLocker uses a recovery key or password to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the encrypted drive. The encryption can be applied to internal hard drives, external USB drives, and even network drives.

Key Features of BitLocker:

Encryption Method: BitLocker uses the AES encryption algorithm to secure data.

Recovery Options: BitLocker provides recovery keys and passwords, which allow users to regain access if they forget their credentials.

Drive Compatibility: BitLocker can be used on external hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices to secure sensitive data.

While BitLocker offers robust protection, it also means that if you lose access to the password or recovery key, it can become difficult to unlock or reset the drive.

Part 1: Prerequisites

Before starting the process of resetting BitLocker on an external hard drive, ensure you have the following:

A Windows computer that supports BitLocker (Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education).

The BitLocker password (if available) or the recovery key. If you lost the password or recovery key, you will need to go through alternative methods (which we will explore).

A backup of your encrypted data (if possible), especially if you need to format the external hard drive.

Part 2: Accessing BitLocker Settings

If you still have the BitLocker password or recovery key, you can easily reset the BitLocker encryption on your external drive. Here’s how to check the status of BitLocker and attempt to reset the password:

Insert the external hard drive into your computer.

Open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows Key + R and typing Control Panel, then hitting Enter.

Navigate to BitLocker Drive Encryption:

Click on “System and Security”.

Then, select “BitLocker Drive Encryption.”

Locate your external hard drive under the list of drives. You will see an option that says “Turn Off BitLocker” if it’s already enabled.

Click on “Turn Off BitLocker” to begin decrypting the drive (if you know the password). Decryption can take a long time, depending on the size of the drive.

Part 3: Resetting BitLocker Using the Recovery Key

If you’ve forgotten your BitLocker password but still have the recovery key, follow these steps:

Steps to Use the Recovery Key:

Insert the external hard drive into your Windows PC.

When you try to open the external hard drive, Windows will prompt you for the password or the recovery key.

Click on “Enter Recovery Key” when the prompt appears.

Enter the 48-digit recovery key you’ve saved. This key is usually stored in one of the following places:

Your Microsoft account (if you linked BitLocker to your Microsoft account).

On a printed document or USB flash drive.

In an Azure Active Directory account (if you’re using a work or school computer).

If the recovery key is correct, BitLocker will unlock the drive, and you will be able to access its contents.

Part 4: If You Do Not Have the Recovery Key or Password

If you do not have access to the recovery key or the BitLocker password, you are faced with a more challenging task. There are a few recovery methods that you can try:

1. Check for Backup Copies of the Recovery Key

If you’ve saved the recovery key in a cloud service, like OneDrive, or printed it out, check these places. If you’ve linked your BitLocker drive to your Microsoft account, the recovery key may be stored there.

Visit the Microsoft recovery page and log in with the account associated with the BitLocker-encrypted drive.

In the “Devices” section, look for the external hard drive and click on “Manage” to see if the recovery key is available for download.

2. Use a Different Account with Access to the Drive

If the external hard drive was encrypted on a system where multiple accounts were configured, it’s possible that another user account on the same machine has access to the drive. Try logging into that account and unlocking the drive using the password or recovery key associated with it.

3. Use a Data Recovery Service

If you have no backup of the recovery key, password, or recovery method, you might consider using a data recovery service that specializes in BitLocker recovery. These services have specialized software and hardware to bypass BitLocker protection and retrieve the data.

Keep in mind that this method can be expensive, and there’s no guarantee of success, especially if BitLocker encryption is strong.

Part 5: Resetting or Decrypting the Drive (if Data is Not Crucial)

If accessing the data is not a priority, or if you’ve tried all other recovery methods without success, the last resort is to reset BitLocker by decrypting the drive. Decrypting the drive will erase the encryption and allow you to use the external hard drive again.

Steps to Decrypt the External Drive (if you have access to the recovery key):

Insert the external hard drive into your computer.

If prompted for the password, enter the recovery key.

Open Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Select the external drive and click on Turn Off BitLocker.

Confirm the decryption process. Depending on the size of the drive, this could take hours.

Once the process is complete, the drive will no longer be encrypted, and you can access it without a password.

Steps to Decrypt if Password is Lost (without Recovery Key):

If you do not have the recovery key or password, the only option may be to format the drive. Formatting will erase all data on the drive, but you will be able to use the drive again:

Open File Explorer and locate the encrypted external hard drive.

Right-click on the drive and select Format.

Choose a file system (e.g., NTFS) and ensure that the “Quick Format” option is selected.

Click Start to begin the formatting process.

Note that formatting will permanently erase any data on the external hard drive. Make sure you have tried every method to recover the BitLocker password or recovery key before choosing this option.

Part 6: Preventing Future BitLocker Problems

To avoid future issues with BitLocker on external hard drives, consider these precautions:

Back Up the Recovery Key: Always save a copy of the BitLocker recovery key in multiple locations. Use cloud storage, a USB drive, or a printed copy.

Use a Password Manager: Store your BitLocker password securely in a password manager. These tools can help you remember and retrieve your credentials if needed.

Enable BitLocker on Trusted Devices Only: Avoid encrypting drives on devices you don’t control. Encryption will be harder to manage if you lose access to the machine.

Keep Backup Copies of Important Data: Even if you don’t lose the BitLocker password, your external drive can fail. Regular backups will save you in the event of a hardware malfunction.

Resetting BitLocker on an external hard drive can range from a simple password entry to a complicated recovery process, depending on your situation. The most critical step is to ensure that you have access to the BitLocker password or recovery key before proceeding. If you don’t, recovery methods like using a data recovery service or formatting the drive are your last options.

Regularly backing up your recovery key and ensuring that encryption is used responsibly will help mitigate potential data loss scenarios in the future. While BitLocker offers strong protection against unauthorized access, it’s essential to safeguard your credentials and recovery methods to ensure that your data remains accessible when needed.