Issue with Automatic Hard Drive Encryption on Windows 11 Home!

Question

I am using Windows 11 Home on my device. After a recent update, I noticed that my hard drive has been automatically encrypted. However, I cannot find any option to manage or disable the encryption, since BitLocker is not available on Windows 11 Home edition.

Additionally, every time I start my computer, I am asked to enter the recovery key, which makes it difficult to use my device normally.

I would like to completely disable the encryption on my hard drive, but I am unable to find a way to do so. Could you please provide guidance or a solution to remove the encryption permanently.

Answer 1

In version 24H2, Microsoft decided to enable Bitlocker in the Home version of Windows 11, it was previously only avaialble in the Pro version, but that is usually only enabled after a clean install of Windows 11.

You indicate you insert a Recovery Key to access your device on start-up, where did you get the key, is that a 48 digit key from the Bitlocker Recovery section on your Microsoft account online?