BitLocker security software, created by Microsoft, is based on a next-generation secure computing architecture. It is encrypted for all devices, whether portable or non-portable, to prevent third-party intrusion while working on the device. It is used by many organizations where employees carry confidential data from one place to another. This seamless, user-friendly software has some drawbacks; therefore, many users would like to deactivate it on their devices. In this post, we will illustrate how to resume or suspend BitLocker encryption on Windows 11/10 via Control Panel.
This security feature is easy to use, encrypts the system’s hardware, and is known for serving its security purpose very well. However, device encryption can become a problem for some users as it may slow down the computer. Sometimes device encryption takes longer, and, most importantly, it only works when the system is compatible with encryption.
How to Resume or Suspend BitLocker encryption on Windows 11
BitLocker is gaining popularity and is being increasingly used by modern devices to prevent data breaches. The data can be extracted from the system’s hard drive. It also allows the user to secure important data using a password. Here in this tutorial, we will see how to resume or suspend BitLocker encryption on Windows 11/10.
1] Resume BitLocker encryption on Windows 11
If you want to resume the BitLocker encryption that you have earlier suspended on Windows PC, then use the following suggestions:
- At first, open the Control Panel window.
- Click on System and Security section.
- Scroll down and select the BitLocker Drive Encryption option.
- Select the Resume protection option.
If you need, you can see the above steps in detail:
To get it started, open the Control Panel first. For this, click on Start, type Control Panel and press the Enter key.
Inside the Control Panel window, head over the System and Security option.
Next, scroll down and click on the BitLocker Drive Encryption option.
Now, under the operating system drive title, click on the Resume protection link to resume BitLocker encryption on Windows 10.
After that, restart your computer to complete the process.
Read: How to backup BitLocker Drive Encryption Recovery Key.
2] Suspend BitLocker encryption on Windows 11
BitLocker efficiently protects system data from cold-boot attacks, but its encryption may cause problems with system updates and firmware. Therefore, many of you may like to suspend it temporarily. It is important to note that BitLocker suspension is not permanent, and new data created after the suspension will remain encrypted until the suspension is resumed for decryption.
To suspend BitLocker encryption on your Windows PC, follow the suggestions below:
- Open the Control Panel window.
- Click on System and Security section.
- Scroll down and select the BitLocker Drive Encryption option.
- Select the Suspend protection option.
- Click on the Yes button to continue.
Now let’s see the above steps in detail:
The suspension can be done using the control panel of your computer system. First, open the Control Panel and select the System and Security option. Now choose the BitLocker Drive Encryption option.
Inside the BitLocker window, click on the Suspend protection option that is available below the heading of your OS drive. Then click on the Yes button to confirm the changes. Restart your computer and check if it is done.
Kindly note that if you suspend the protection, your data will not be protected. Sometimes you may need to suspend BitLocker temporarily while updating Windows or the PC’s firmware. So, if you forget to resume BitLocker protection, it will resume automatically the next time you restart your PC.
BitLocker Encryption vs BitLocker Protection explained
BitLocker encryption is the process of converting the data on your drive into a coded format using algorithms such as AES. This makes the files unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the right key. In simple terms, encryption is the lock that secures your information, even if someone removes or tampers with the drive.
BitLocker protection is about how that lock is managed and accessed. It uses tools such as the TPM chip, PINs, passwords, or recovery keys to determine who can unlock the encrypted data. Protection is the set of rules and safeguards that ensure only authorized users can bypass the lock and use the data safely. This post will show you how to Suspend or Resume BitLocker Protection for Drives via Explorer, Command Prompt and PowerShell.
Related: How to change BitLocker Encryption method & Cipher Strength.
