Cannot open external hard drive

Question

I cannot access the external hard drive, getting this message: The BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows. Try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows.. Nothing has changed on the computer since the last time I opened the drive.

Answer 1

Windows 11 Enterprise.

Bitlocker was installed on the external drive when I had a loaner computer from my company (not this one), and it must have had a newer version of Windows, hence the bitlocker requirement. The problem happened when I tried to open the hard drive on this computer. I then tried to open the hard drive on several other computers in the household and same issue. I then had our company IT director try on multiple versions of Windows at our office and he also received the same message, pasted below.

Please help

Answer 2

Hi, John. I'll be happy to assist you today.

Sorry to know you're experiencing this issue.

Are you using Windows pro or Windows Home?

Have you activated BitLocker for the external drive using this computer?

I'll be waiting for your reply.

Answer 3

That is odd indeed.

Is this Windows Pro?

open C:\Windows\System32 right click on cmd.exe choose run as admin type / copy paste

manage-bde -status

minni example if drive Z:\ is locked

manage-bde -unlock Z: -RecoveryKey YOUR-BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-KEY-HERE

manage-bde -unlock Z: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-KEY-HERE

You can also try to reboot the p.c twice sometimes doing this helps windows to wake up powered down usb devices.

let me know how it goes, I havent actually seen a version error on bitlocker till now.