Move disk bitlocker to another pc

Question

Hi,

How can I move a drive with Bitlocker (windows 10) to another PC without decrypting and encrypting.

I tried moving the drive to a PC of the same model, version and BIOS setup, but every reboot, bitlocker asks for a password.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi there,

You can move the drive and boot from it after entering the recovery key

When booted, you can add a new protector like a password after removing the old TPM protector. You can also add the new tpm to that drive after you remove the old TPM protector.

The TPM holds the key and releases it only if certain conditions are met:

-we boot directly from the boot drive and not from some other drive
-the bios settings are at the expected values
-the hardware housing that drive is still the same
-the correct PIN (if one is setup) is entered.

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Answer 2

If you boot from that drive on the old machine, it does not ask for a password, because it uses the key that gets automatically released by the TPM chip of the old machine.
On the new machine, you will have to add a new TPM protector like this:
1st, remove the old one:
manage-bde -protectors -delete c: -type TPM
Then, add the TPM of the new machine:
manage-bde -protectors -add c: -tpm

Both commands will need to be run on an elevated command prompt.
No decryption or re-encryption needed.

Answer 3

Hi @Anonymous ,

In general it is recommended to suspend the encryption and resume it after you have moved the drive or changed hardware.

I would try decrypting it and re-encrypt it on your new PC, this should fix the password being asked at each boot.

You may also refer to a similar thread below for more guidance:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/dc4b0c7d-bb1b-4a74-bc06-7d084fb38926/moving-bitlocker-encrypted-drive-to-new-computer?forum=win10itprogeneral

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If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you!

Best regards,
Leon