No option to SUSPEND Bitlocker - Windows 11 Pro 23H2

Question

A new weirdo: Can't suspend Bitlocker as used to be. No option to do so is listed under Bitlocker Drive Encryption in Control Panel.

So, in order to perform a BIOS update, Bitlocker must be tuned OFF and then ON again generating a new recovery key.

WHY??????????????????????????

***Move from Windows / Windows 11 / Security and privacy***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to disable bitlocker.

Try run below command to check Bitlocker status on your machine:

manage-bde -status

You can also check the status of a specific drive, such as C drive:

manage-bde -status C: 

If there is Bitlocker enabled drive, use below command to disable bitlocker of that drive:

Replace <recovery password> with your 48-digit recovery key, replace C with your current problem drive letter:

manage-bde -unlock C: -recoverypassword <recovery password>

After unlock, disable bitlocker use this command, replace C with your current drive letter:

manage-bde -off C:

Have a nice day. 

Best Regards,

Molly

Answer 2

Thanks Molly.

After a couple of restarts, the option to suspend showed up in Control Panel - Bitlocker Drive Encryption.

Now, just to be in the same page: I do not want to turne it OFF, I just want to SUSPEND it so that updates and other processes can be performed. Then, RESUME it.

Answer 3

Hi,

Is there any error messages when you run above commands?

Best regards,

Molly