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How to Disable BitLocker Encryption

Last Updated On 20 Oct 2025 |
5 minutes read |

If BitLocker encryption is enabled, the storage location of the content present in the encrypted drive of the imaging computer cannot be identified. Hence, decrypting the contents of the BitLocker-encrypted drive is essential for efficient imaging.

You can use the following methods to remove BitLocker encryption in Windows 10, Windows 11, and other supported Windows operating systems:

Disable BitLocker through Windows Command Prompt

To disable BitLocker using command line, ensure you are logged in with an administrator account. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open Command Prompt in Administrator mode.
  2. Check BitLocker status:

    manage-bde -status

  3. Ensure the results for the required drives (C:, D:, etc.) show:

    Conversion Status: Fully Decrypted

    Percentage Encrypted: 0.0%

    BitLocker status example
  4. If the result shows Percentage Encrypted: 100.0%, decrypt the required drive(s):

    manage-bde -off <drive letter>:

    E.g.: manage-bde -off C:
  5. Recheck status with manage-bde -status and confirm Percentage Encrypted: 0.0%.
  6. Restart your computer before proceeding with image creation.

Disable BitLocker through Windows GUI mode

To remove BitLocker using the Windows GUI, ensure you have administrator credentials:

  1. Go to Start → Control Panel → System and Security → BitLocker Drive Encryption.
    BitLocker Drive Encryption in Control Panel
  2. For the target drive, click Turn Off BitLocker.
    Turn off BitLocker option
  3. Confirm the prompt indicating decryption may take time by clicking Turn off BitLocker / Decrypt the drive.
  4. Restart your computer before proceeding with image creation.

How to ensure BitLocker encryption is removed?

Confirm that the BitLocker lock icon is no longer shown for the drive and that the drive is accessible. Repeat the same process for any other encrypted drives.

Disable BitLocker through Windows PowerShell

To disable BitLocker encryption using PowerShell, ensure PowerShell is installed and supported on your system.

Note
If the OS partition contains automatic unlocking keys, the disable cmdlet may fail. Use the Clear-BitLockerAutoUnlock cmdlet first to remove all automatic unlocking keys.

Disable BitLocker for all volumes

  1. Open Windows PowerShell in Administrator mode and run:
    • $BLV = Get-BitLockerVolume
    • Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint $BLV
  2. Verify decryption progress:
    • Run Get-BitLockerVolume and check Volume Status and Encryption Percentage. Completion should show FullyDecrypted and 0%.

      • or

    • Open Control Panel → System and Security → BitLocker Drive Encryption to view progress.
  3. Restart your computer before proceeding with image creation.

Disable BitLocker for a single volume

  1. Open Windows PowerShell in Administrator mode.
  2. Run: Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:"
  3. Verify decryption:
    • Run Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:" and confirm Volume Status: FullyDecrypted and Encryption Percentage: 0%.

      • or

    • Check progress in Control Panel → System and Security → BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  4. Restart your computer before proceeding with image creation.

Wait until it shows that BitLocker encryption is turned off.

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