Bitlocker

I don't whether I did something to cause it but yesterday my laptop started demanding my "security key" for "Bitlocker," an encryption function that I did not know I had (and lots of other people did not know they had based on the complaints I've seen on other forums).  Could not boot up without it.  Eventually, I found the key and got in but now the laptop is asking me for the key every time I sign on.  It's a long string of numbers and I don't feel like putting them in every time I sign on.   How do I disable it?


looks like it's easy enough to do through control panel.

Try this

https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-BitLocker



Not in Windows 10


bub said:
Not in Windows 10

 what's your OS?


I don't know.  I've worked around it, but with a lingering sense of frustration.

Although I couldn't manage Btilocker directly - its controls, if any, seem to be hidden - there is a simple  encryption "on/off" button in Windows, and "off" seemed to turn Bitlocker off.  With the help of a MS chat guy, I had to then reset the visual recognition thingy and my PIN.

What bothers me is there may be some value in encryption if, e.g., my laptop gets stolen.  I only wanted to disable it to the extent that it was interfering with my boot up.  Nobody from MS could help and online instructions were just wrong. 


In Win7, you can create a USB stick with the key. Insert it before bootup and machine will boot right up without you typing anything in. Keep the USB stick handy to you but separate from the computer.

In Windows 8, 8.1 and 10, you can create a simple passphrase that you type in during the boot process. It should be different from the password you use to log on to the computer.

In either case, print out a copy of that long hex key created during the Bitlocker setup and keep it somewhere safe. 

I highly recommend that Bitlocker be turned on for all Windows laptops and any desktop subject to HIPPA rules or containing business or financial information. Unfortunately Microsoft only makes it available in Windows Pro, an extra $100. 

In the Mac world, use FileVault, included free. 

Cordially, 

Steven


Thanks Steve.  Right now I get in with just facial recognition or, if that fails occasionally, a PIN. The simple passphrase thing sounds nice except nobody from Microsoft told me about it and I literally have no control over Bitlocker, including what you suggest, on my laptop.  Where would I go to do this?  I have no "Bitlocker Manager" or its somehow hidden.

My online/cloud Microsoft Account has the lengthy key (somehow!  Did I create it?  I don't think so) and we have it written down, but until I feel safe with what you suggest or something else, Bitlocker stays off.



Bitlocker is in the control panel, but only in the Pro versions. If you have a Win7 machine, you can run the program from the control panel and copy the key to a USB stick. In Win8 and 10, you can run the program and create a passphrase. 

If you're not running a Pro version of Windows, then I don't know how you got Bitlocker. 



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