Unlock USB in Seconds: Remove BitLocker Without a Passwordpopular
2. How to Remove BitLocker from USB Step-by-step?
More FAQs about Removing BitLocker from USBnuevo
Conclusion
When your drive requests a password each time you connect to it, it is BitLocker. Some users search for a way to remove BitLocker from USB Windows 11, the good news is that you can do this in many safe ways without necessarily being a tech whiz.
This guide will teach you about how to remove BitLocker from USB with a few simple steps. Additionally, the tools and built-in Windows options will also be discussed so you can determine which one is most suitable for you.
Unlock USB in Seconds: Remove BitLocker Without a Password
Forgot your BitLocker password? Don't panic. PassFab 4EasyPartition is among the quickest methods to remove BitLocker encryption from a USB drive. No password or recovery key is required.
In its toolkit, it includes a dedicated "Remove BitLocker" feature. The tool searches the drive and automatically identifies the recovery key, and decrypts it within several clicks. It supports Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How to remove BitLocker without a password using PassFab 4EasyPartition?
-
Download and install PassFab 4EasyPartition on PC. Plug in the
BitLocker-protected USB device. Launch the program. On the main
screen, select Toolkit and then select "Remove BitLocker".
-
Choose your USB drive and hit ‘Unlock’. You will see a confirmation
prompt. To scan for BitLocker Recovery Key, click on “Sure”.
- The tool will automatically find the recovery key. You can copy it for later use or click “Disable BitLocker” to disable the encryption immediately.
- Wait a few minutes until the decryption is completed. Your USB is now completely unlocked and no longer encrypted.
2. How to Remove BitLocker from USB Step-by-step?
If you do have your password or recovery key, Windows provides a number of built-in methods to remove BitLocker from a USB flash drive. Here, all four methods are discussed step-by-step.
Method 1: Remove BitLocker with Password
- The process begins with connecting your BitLocker-secured USB to your computer.
- Open File Explorer and right click on your USB flash drive. From the menu, choose “Manage BitLocker”.
-
Next to your USB drive, click “Turn off BitLocker”.
- When asked for your BitLocker password, type it and press Enter. Windows will start decrypting the drive. Wait till it displays "Decryption Complete".
Decryption will take time depending on the size of the USB, which is usually a few minutes with small drives.
Method 2: Remove BitLocker by Using Recovery Key
Lost your password? Luckily, your 48-digit BitLocker Recovery Key will come to the rescue. This key had been generated during the initial setup of BitLocker.
- Insert your USB stick in your computer. The BitLocker password prompt will show up.
- On the unlock screen, tap on More options and then tap on Enter recovery key.
-
Type in your 48 digit recovery key. In case it was saved on your
Microsoft account, you can access it at
aka.ms/myrecoverykey.
- Your USB will be unlocked. Once unlocked, open up File Explorer, and right click on the drive and choose Manage BitLocker. Select “Turn off BitLocker " to fully disable the encryption.
Method 3: Remove BitLocker by Using BitLocker To Go
Windows has a feature known as Bitlocker To Go, which is used to encrypt removable storage devices like USB. It has a settings panel, which allows you to unlock BitLocker USB directly.
- Press Windows + S and type in “Control Panel”. Open it.
-
Select System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
- Scroll down to find your USB drive under "BitLocker To Go".
- Click "Turn off BitLocker" next to your USB drive. Confirm the action. Windows will start decrypting.
This is a good approach if you are using a company or school computer on which the right click menu option is restricted. Restrictions are typically not as strict on the Control Panel path.
Method 4: Remove BitLocker via PowerShell
PowerShell provides complete control of BitLocker. This is particularly helpful for IT users or advanced Windows users who prefer working without GUI.
- Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin) by pressing Windows + X.
-
Run the command below (replacing F: with the letter of your USB drive)
:
Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "F:"
- Press Enter. PowerShell will immediately start to remove BitLocker encryption.
- Check the progress by entering: Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "F:"
-
As soon as it shows Fully Decrypted and 0% encrypted, then you are
done. Or you can open up Command Prompt (Admin) and enter:
manage-bde -off F:
Both the commands are equivalent. Choose whichever you are more comfortable with.
More FAQs about Removing BitLocker from USB
How to force remove BitLocker?
To get rid of it, you can do it by formatting the USB drive. This will clear all of the contents, though. You can do it via PowerShell as well but you'll still need access/recovery key first.
How to use USB without BitLocker?
Once BitLocker is turned off, the USB drive can be accessed as a normal drive. The only thing you need to do is to disable the encryption using BitLocker settings or PowerShell, and the drive will be decrypted.
Where can I find my 48 digit BitLocker key?
It is available here: Microsoft account recovery page, USB backup file, and printed paper saved during setup. It is extremely difficult to unlock without this key.
RELATED ARTICLES
Conclusion
Removing BitLocker from the USB is not as hard as it may seem. You can either use a password, recovery key, BitLocker settings or PowerShell, depending on the situation. When everything goes wrong, PassFab 4EasyPartition can simplify the process and help you remove BitLocker.
