manage-bde changekey

Modifies the startup key for an operating system drive.

Syntax

manage-bde -changekey [<drive>] [<pathtoexternalkeydirectory>] [-computername <name>] [{-?|/?}] [{-help|-h}]

Parameters

Parameter Description
<drive> Represents a drive letter followed by a colon.
-computername Specifies that manage-bde.exe will be used to modify BitLocker protection on a different computer. You can also use -cn as an abbreviated version of this command.
<name> Represents the name of the computer on which to modify BitLocker protection. Accepted values include the computer's NetBIOS name and the computer's IP address.
-? or /? Displays brief Help at the command prompt.
-help or -h Displays complete Help at the command prompt.

Examples

To create a new startup key on drive E, to use with BitLocker encryption on drive C, type:

manage-bde -changekey C: E:\