When you go on to backup your Windows 11 computer, if your backup fails with error 0x8031004A, BitLocker Drive Encryption cannot be used because critical BitLocker system files are missing or corrupted, Use Windows Startup Repair to restore these files to your computer then perhaps something in this post will help you.
We have seen how we can create a System Image via the Control Panel or using the PowerShell. At times, however, an error can be thrown up. It could be Backup storage location has shadow copy storage on another volume, or it could be this Critical BitLocker system files are missing or corrupted error message. Let us see how to resolve the latter error today.
BitLocker Drive Encryption cannot be used, Error 0x8031004A
(Image source: Microsoft Answers)
BitLocker Drive Encryption cannot be used because critical BitLocker system files are missing or corrupted (0x8031004A)
If you face this issue when using BitLocker, try rebooting the system and check if it works. Most probably, it won’t.
- Run System File Checker
- Run DISM
- Run ChkDsk
- Check the status of the Volume Shadow Copy Service
- Delete the old Windows Image Backup images
- Use Automatic Startup Repair
- Temporarily disable Windows RE
Proceed to the following troubleshooting steps using an administrator account.
1] Run System File Checker
Open an elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow
If any file corruption is found, it will be replaced with good files.
2] Run DISM
Open an elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
This will repair a possibly corrupted Windows system image.
3] Run ChkDsk
Open an elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /r
It identifies bad sectors and recovers any readable information.
4] Check the status of the Volume Shadow Copy Service
Type services.msc in Start Search to open the Windows Services Manager. Right-click on it and click Properties. Check the status of the service. It should be set at Manual. Start it now, ensure it is running and then try again.
5] Delete the old Windows Image Backup images
If you can afford to, you may delete previous System Images and Backups and then try again.
6] Use Automatic Startup Repair
If nothing works, as the error message suggests, you can use Automatic Repair to restore corrupted or missing system files.
Boot into Advanced Startup Options and select Automatic Repair.
7] Temporarily disable Windows RE
There is one more suggestion you can try that has been suggested by Microsoft:
In an elevated command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter:
C:\Windows\System32\REAgentC.exe /disable
Disconnect the external hard drive.
At the elevated command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter:
C:\Windows\System32\REAgentC.exe /enable
Reconnect the external hard drive to the computer and check again.
If these steps fail and the error seriously interrupts your work, you might consider resetting Windows.
Read this post if you receive This device can’t use a Trusted Platform Module error while starting BitLocker message.
How do I unlock BitLocker encryption?
The only way to unlock a drive encrypted with BitLocker is with the BitLocker recovery key or password. These are available when you encrypt it for the first time and should be stored safely. Windows will prompt for it when you connect the drive to another PC or want to unlock or remove the encryption.
Does BitLocker encrypt the entire drive?
Yes, BitLocker encrypts the entire drive, and no one can access the data without the password or recovery key. However, when encrypting it for the first time, you can choose to encrypt only the data section. When this method is used, the drive will encrypt as it receives new data from the user. The only advantage is that the initial setup is quicker than usual.
