Question Bitlocker missing problem on 24H2

[asusgarb]

Hi guys. About a week ago I did a clean install of Windows 11 24H2 on my PC. So far everything is fine, at least until yesterday. I attached my external HD previously encrypted with Bitlocker, but I can't unlock it, because bitlocker seems not to be present in the PC.

Its entry is not in the control panel, and I can't even open it with cmd. Obviously I checked if the service was active, and it is.

I've been trying to get it to appear/work for several hours. I've tried every method I found on the internet (start from cmd, reset the service) but nothing worked.

The only method I have left to try among those found is a new reinstallation of Windows. However, I would prefer to avoid it, since it is not certain that it will work (in this one it does not work) and then in the post-work breaks I proceeded to put everything back in order, and I finished only the other day.

Is there, I don't know, a way to "install" it or some method that I haven't found to force it to install or enable it?

 

[Colif]

I assume you are on Pro as Bitlocker isn't in Home, still. Maybe check you installed right version
if you on home, its upgrade able... not sure how you do that without a key to use. Microsoft might need to assist in that.
have you run windows update to make sure you on latest version?

is tpm on? Bitlocker won't run without it
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/t...ows-security/bitlocker-issues-troubleshooting

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

Following on from what Colif said, use this command in the Run box:

control /name Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption

Something should appear regardless of the Windows 11 version. If it only gives you the option to backup your recovery key then it means you're running the Home version.

 

[asusgarb]

I assume you are on Pro as Bitlocker isn't in Home, still. Maybe check you installed right version
if you on home, its upgrade able... not sure how you do that without a key to use. Microsoft might need to assist in that.
have you run windows update to make sure you on latest version?

is tpm on? Bitlocker won't run without it
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/t...ows-security/bitlocker-issues-troubleshooting

yes I'm on Pro version. At least it says so in system settings. But on winver window it only show windows release number, not if home or pro.

https://imgur.com/XhP8GuC

View: https://imgur.com/XhP8GuC

https://imgur.com/z8er7XM

View: https://imgur.com/z8er7XM

 

[asusgarb]

Following on from what Colif said, use this command in the Run box:

control /name Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption

Something should appear regardless of the Windows 11 version. If it only gives you the option to backup your recovery key then it means you're running the Home version.

https://imgur.com/KphFU7P

View: https://imgur.com/KphFU7P

As you can see in the screenshot (link), the command has no response, both in powershell and cmd

 

[Colif]

BitLocker device encryption is enabled by default on Windows 11 24H2 when a device is clean installed or purchased new. However, if you upgrade to 24H2, BitLocker will not be enabled automatically

if you clean installed, it should be enabled on Pro?

have you tried:

• Select the Start Menu
• Type BitLocker into the search box
• Select BitLocker Drive Encryption
• Click Turn on BitLocker

Did you set up using a local account or one linked to your Microsoft Account? Using a local account avoids setting up drive encryption aka bitlocker, its why I ask.

To install BitLocker on Windows 11 using PowerShell, you can use the Install-WindowsFeature cmdlet:

1. Use the command Install-WindowsFeature BitLocker -IncludeAllSubFeature -IncludeManagementTools -WhatIf | fl to see what would be installed
2. Use the command Install-WindowsFeature BitLocker -IncludeAllSubFeature -IncludeManagementTools -Restart to complete the installation

powershell admin or it won't do anything.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/w...rity/data-protection/bitlocker/install-server