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No BitLocker for Thumb Drive?

a_unique_name 401 Reputation points
2020-10-18T17:00:04.89+00:00

Hello Folks:

Here's everything I know about my OS version. As you see, I upgraded to 2004 a week and a half ago and have had several updates since:

33122-version.png

I'm having a frustrating day. I've spent several hours in an unsuccessful effort to backup a day's work to a thumb drive.

After multiple quick and not quick formats of the thumb drive, and multiple re-boots of the computer, Windows won't allow me to apply BitLocker to it:

33067-thumb-drive.png

I've done many backups to this drive, it's one of three I rotate through in order to keep a current one in my pocket and another at a friend's house.

I don't know why, but today Windows decided I couldn't turn on BitLocker for the drive.

Windows will allow a hard drive, F:, that doesn't have BitLocker turned on can have it turned on:

33030-hard-drive.png

I'm reluctant to test the other thumb drive in my possession with a format and Bit Locker turn on, for fear that it will have the same problem. I need to be able to copy individual folders to it so I can have backup.

I don't know if this is a hint, but the icon that show a drive has BitLocker locked, unlocked or even enabled is "flexible." Drive E: shows BitLocker locked in the first image, which it was, and shows that E: has no BitLocker in the second, when it was unlocked.

Any suggestions?

Windows 10 Security
Windows 10 Security
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Security: The precautions taken to guard against crime, attack, sabotage, espionage, or another threat.
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  1. a_unique_name 401 Reputation points
    2020-10-18T17:05:43.767+00:00

    This is my first time in this new forum.

    We can't edit these posts?

    Ok. Drive G: is the thumb drive that Windows won't allow BitLocker to be turned on.

    Drive F: is the hard drive that doesn't have BitLocker turned on. Though Windows will allow it to be used.

    Thanks
    Larry

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  2. Jenny Feng 14,116 Reputation points
    2020-10-19T07:50:31.68+00:00

    @a_unique_name
    Hi,

    Firstly, please make sure following group policy is enable to allow Bitlocker to protect your removable data drive:

    Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Removable Data drives

    \Control use of Bitlocker on removable drives

    Enable and check on "Allow users to apply BitLocker protection on removable data drives"

    You may refer to the following steps to troubleshoot the issue:
    How to Enable or Disable Use of BitLocker on Removable Data Drives in Windows
    Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

    Also, drive partitioning must meet the BitLocker Drive Encryption Partitioning Requirements.

    You can edit the post as the following:
    33321-image.png

    Hope above information can help you.

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  3. MTG 1,206 Reputation points
    2020-10-19T11:51:14.587+00:00

    Since that policy is not needed by default, I suggest you leave it as is and try the command line, instead:
    right click cmd.exe and select "run as administrator". Then launch
    manage-bde -on g: -used -rp -em aes256 -pw

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