How to Turn Off BitLocker Encryption on Your Windows Device
Support Article | University PC Care
While BitLocker encryption is a powerful way to protect your data, there may be times when you need to turn it off — such as before upgrading hardware, troubleshooting issues, or preparing to sell or transfer ownership of a device.
This guide walks you through how to safely disable BitLocker and decrypt your drive.
Before You Begin
Make sure:
- You are signed in with administrator privileges
- Your device is plugged in (decryption can take time and should not be interrupted)
- You have access to your BitLocker recovery key (just in case)
How to Turn Off BitLocker
- Open the Start Menu and type
Manage BitLocker, then press Enter. - In the BitLocker Drive Encryption window, locate your system drive (usually C:).
- Click Turn off BitLocker next to the drive.
- When prompted, confirm by clicking Turn off BitLocker again.
Windows will begin decrypting the drive. You can continue to use your computer during this process, but performance may be impacted until it's complete.
Note: Decryption time depends on your drive size and system speed. On SSDs, it’s usually fast; on larger HDDs, it may take longer.
Check the Decryption Progress
You can monitor the status:
- Open Manage BitLocker again at any time
- You’ll see a progress bar or status message until it says BitLocker is off
Once complete, your drive will no longer be encrypted, and data will no longer be protected by BitLocker.
When to Leave BitLocker On
Before disabling encryption, consider:
- Are you preparing the device for resale or service?
- Are you troubleshooting hardware or software issues?
- Do you work with sensitive data?
If the answer to these is no, it's generally recommended to leave BitLocker on for security.
Need Help?
Turning off BitLocker is usually simple — but if you're unsure or facing issues, we’re happy to help.
📍 Visit us at University PC Care
📞 Call: (252) 558-1280
📧 Email: support@universitypccare.com