How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

Erin Smith

Erin Smith is recognized as one of the most professional writers at Amagicsoft. She has continually honed her writing skills over the past 10 years and helped millions of readers solve their tech problems.

Summary:

This article will provide detailed solutions in several aspects, including why you need to turn off BitLocker, how to turn it off step by step, and how to retrieve the BitLocker recovery key using Magic Recovery Key when needed.

Microsoft's BitLocker provides robust encryption for the data on your Windows 11 devices. However, the degree of protection it offers may not be suitable for everyone at all times. This article demonstrates how to turn off BitLocker encryption and also clarifies the implications of doing so.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

Why Do People turn off BitLocker Encryption?

In general, having BitLocker enabled is beneficial. It safeguards your computer against malware and hacking attempts, and it ensures the security of all your data in case your Windows 11 device gets stolen. Nevertheless, in certain rare circumstances, some people do decide to turn off BitLocker, or at least suspend it temporarily, for several reasons.

Slower Device Performance: BitLocker has been proven to decrease the read and write speeds of the hard drive.

Device Restrictions: When BitLocker is active, it can prevent you from making major modifications, like installing a secondary operating system.

Future - Planning Concerns: Some individuals are concerned that if something were to happen to them, their family members might be unable to access their computer due to the BitLocker encryption.

It's crucial to bear in mind that when you need to make significant hardware or operating - system changes on your Windows 11 device, temporarily suspending BitLocker is always an available option.

The Steps for Suspending Bitlocker

1. Click on the Start Menu. In the search box, type "Manage BitLocker", then hit Enter to open the Manage BitLocker window.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

2. Click Suspend protection for the desired drive.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

The Steps for turning off Bitlocker Windows 11

Use the following steps to turn off BitLocker:

Note: Decrypting the drive may take some time.

1. Search for and open Control Panel.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

2. Select BitLocker Drive Encryption.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

3. Select Turn off Bitlocker.

How to turn off BitLocker in Windows 11

What Should I Do If I Lost Bitlocker Key？

Using the BitLocker recovery key to decrypt BitLocker is almost an unavoidable BitLocker decryption solution. If you've lost your BitLocker recovery key, you can try looking for it in your Microsoft account, searching for relevant keywords on your computer, or contacting Microsoft technical support. Here's a more convenient and efficient way to find the BitLocker recovery key: using Magic Recovery Key. You can retrieve it in just a few steps.