How to Disable BitLocker Encryption on Pen Drive 2024

Summary, Want to unlock encrypted pen drive after losing the BitLocker password. In this blog we explain how you can disable encryption on pen drive. Users also can take help from the DRS BitLocker recovery tool to decrypting their pen drive. Because this software helps to find a BitLocker recovery key that is stored on their data storage device.

DRS Tools Help to Unlock Encrypted Drive

Run DRS Tools on PC
Connect pen drive to PC and select the drive
DRS Tools find BitLocker key that save in users PC.
Unlock drive it automatically.

Define Pen Drive BitLocker Encryption

BitLocker is a data encryption feature in Windows that allows users to encrypt the data of a USB flash drive, that is also known as a pen drive or thumb drive. Pen Drive BitLocker Encryption is a full-disk or partial encryption feature that protects your portable USB drives from unauthorized access. BitLocker encryption add an extra layer of security on users portable storage devices. When BitLocker is enabled on a pen drive, access to the data is restricted through a password or a smart card, ensuring that only permitted persons can read or modify the BitLocker encrypted files.

In the below image see the USB pen drive having BitLocker encryption

Ways to Disable BitLocker Encryption on Pen Drive

In the below passage, learn how to disable BitLocker encryption on Pen Drive. Users can also set up BitLocker auto-unlock. In the “Manage BitLocker” section, there are many options.

Step 1: First, unlock BitLocker encrypted pen drive via PIN, BitLocker Key, and Smart Card.

Note: If users forget their BitLocker pin or BitLocker recovery key, in these situations, users never access that drive, which is BitLocker encrypted.

Take a look at images 1 and 2.

Unlock BitLocker encrypted pen drive using pin

Unlock BitLocker encrypted pen drive using BitLocker recovery key

Here after getting the right password or pin BitLocker encrypted drive unlocked easily. See the below mentioned image.

Step 2: Right-click, go to the Manage BitLocker option. See the below mentioned image.

Step 3: After selecting the removable drives data. Go with turn off BitLocker. See the below mentioned image.

Disable BitLocker Encryption on Pen Drive by Using CMD

To enable BitLocker encryption on a pen drive using the Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows PC, follow these below mentioned steps:

Insert BitLocker encrypted pen drive into computer.

Open the Command Prompt (cmd.exe) as an administrator.
In the command prompt (cmd), type the below mentioned command and press Enter:

Tips: Replace drive letter “X” according to the user’s drive.

Note: Wait until “Decryption Completed” notification is shown.

Frequently Asked Question

What is BitLocker encryption?

BitLocker is a data protection feature built into Windows that encrypts data on a drive.

Can I stop the BitLocker decryption process?

No, BitLocker decryption cannot be stopped once started.

How do users check the decryption status by using cmd?

Use the command prompt manage-bde -status X:, replacing X: with your pen drive's letter.

Can users disable BitLocker from Windows Explorer?

Yes, right-click on the pen drive, select "Manage BitLocker," and choose "Turn off BitLocker."

Will users lose encryption if I format the pen drive?

Yes, formatting the pen drive will remove BitLocker encryption along with all data.

What if an error occurred during encrypted pen drive decryption?

Check the pen drive for errors, ensure it's properly connected, and try again.