How to password lock drive using bitlocker in Windows 11? (no lock option)

echoecho 21 Reputation points
2021-11-12T07:27:25.647+00:00

148809-image-1.png148875-image-2.pngHow can I lock password my drive with bitlocker, my drive is encrypted but I can't lock it. Checked my Settings (Privacy & Security>Device encryption) and it is turned on.

I have an ASUS VivoBook flip14 Windows 10 upgraded to Windows 11. It has 417 gb storage and partitioned it to make another drive named V: (58.5 gb). I am trying to password lock my new(V:) drive with bitlocker but there is no option to do so (See image 1). The only option the control panel giving me is "Backup your recovery key" option. There is no lock option too when right-click on any drive. My system is up-to-date and TPM is working (in the SysInfo "Meets pre-requisites"). Bitlocker is working fine whenever I do a system change the blue screen bitlocker comes up for the recovery key. Except for locking any of my drive when I'm in desktop mode. I've been searching everywhere thank you in advance.

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Accepted answer
  1. Georg Matviak 171 Reputation points
    2021-11-12T14:06:37.133+00:00

    Hi there,

    There are two types of BitLocker encryption you can use in Windows 11:-
    BitLocker Drive Encryption: This encryption method is used to encrypt fixed hard drives (internal hard disk) including operating system drives.
    BitLocker To Go: This encryption method lets encrypt external drives, such as USB flash drives and external hard drives.

    Make sure you have checked this

    1. To use BitLocker, you will need Windows 11 Pro, Education, or Enterprise edition.
    2. Another requirement is to have a Trusted Platform Module chip (TPM) with support for Modern Standby on your computer. For Windows 11, TPM version 2.0 must be enabled in UEFI/BIOS Boot mode.
      3.The computer should have motherboard firmware in UEFI mode.
    3. You will need at least two partitions to run BitLocker: system partition and operating system partition

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer--

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. MTG 1,191 Reputation points
    2021-11-12T11:43:20.283+00:00

    Hi.

    That's a misunderstanding.
    The c: drive is always unlocked while you have booted windows.
    However, it's still encrypted and no one can get to it without providing credentials.

    All is ok and expected behavior.
    Edit: you may of course lock v: (which seems to be set to auto-unlock at the moment).
    On an elevated command prompt, launch
    manage-bde -lock v: