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How to Format BitLocker Partition in Windows 11

This guide will show you how to format BitLocker partition in Windows 11. Formatting BitLocker drive will erase all data, so make sure you have a backup.

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Updated by Sherly on Oct 12, 2023
Written by Tracy King

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Remove or Turn Off BitLocker, and Back up Valuable Data Step 1: Unlock Encrypted Drive; Step 2: Disable BitLocker; Step 3: Backup Valuable Data...Full steps
Format BitLocker Partition in Windows 11 with Format Tools 1. EaseUS Partition Master...Full steps
2. File Explorer...Full steps
3. Disk Management...Full steps

Are you still searching for a method to format the BitLocker partition in Windows 11?

Don't Worry!

In this blog, we will see the different methods to format BitLocker partitions.

What is BitLocker Partition?

In Windows 11, Microsoft has continued to offer the fantastic feature of encrypting the whole disk drive.

This is done using the Bitlocker technology.

The BitLocker partition is a protective layer that protects all the data available in your system from unauthorized access, even if the computer is stolen or lost.

All of the data in BitLocker Partition is Password-Protected. The user always requires the BitLocker password or BitLocker recovery key to unlock, decrypt and access the data in the partition.

Read Also: How to Unlock BitLocker Without Password and Recovery Key

Can't Format a BitLocker Partition in Windows 11, Help!

Suppose you have a Windows 11 computer with an encrypted BitLocker partition on the C drive.

You need to format it, but Windows gives you the following error: "You can't perform this operation on a BitLocker drive".

Should you take your computer to the repair shop?

Or is there a workaround?

Yes, there are multiple methods that you can follow without going to a repair shop!

Here is the most effective one.

We have divided the method into two parts.

If you need to backup your data in the encrypted drive first before formatting, you can start from Part 1. Else you can directly jump to Part 2.

Part 1. Remove or Turn Off BitLocker, Then Back up Valuable Data

You can remove, disable or turn off BitLocker in many ways. Here is the easiest one:

Step 1: Unlock Encrypted Drive

Disabling BitLocker without deleting your necessary data is only possible by unlocking the encrypted drive first, for which you can use the following steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security and click on BitLocker Drive Encryption.

click on bitlocker drive encryption

2. Click Manage BitLocker.

3. Click Unlock Drive.

click on unlock drive

3. Select the drive that you want to unlock and click Continue.

4. Choose one of the following options:

  • Enter a 48-digit recovery key that you have previously backed up (if you have one);
  • OR Enter your password (if you have one).

enter bitlocker password

Step 2: Disable BitLocker

Next, you can disable BitLocker encryption by Control Panel:

1. Go to Control Panel, click System and Security, and click BitLocker Drive Encryption.

go to control panel then system and security

2. Select the drive from the list for which you want to disable the BitLocker.

3. Click on the Turn Off Bitlocker link next to the selected drive.

click on drive then click on turn off bitlocker

4. In the dialog box that pops up, click Turn off BitLocker to proceed.

/images/en/screenshot/partition-manager/disable-bitlocker-2.png

Step 3: Backup Valuable Data

Once your encrypted drive is unlocked, and BitLocker Encryption is disabled, you can simply access the drive and move or copy your files to another partition, USB, external hard drive, or wherever you want.

Part 2. Format BitLocker Partition in Windows 11 with Format Tools

Formatting Partition can permanently damage your hard drive if not done correctly, so it is highly recommended to use professional partition software.

Here is the list of top 3 format tools that Windows 11 users can apply to format BitLocker partition.

1. EaseUS Partition Master - A Professional Partition Manager Software

EaseUS Partition Master is one of the most reliable, trusted, and effective software to format BitLocker partitions in Windows 11 and Windows 7/8/10.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

This user-friendly partition manager comes in Free and PRO versions with 100% disk partition managing functions.

The free version of the EaseUS Partition Master Disk Management tool can be used to convert, resize, move, merge, format, and delete partitions without data loss.

Whereas the Pro version comes with loads of additional features. It is designed to increase computer performance, combine two SSD into one, wipe difficult disks, and safely migrate OS (Windows/Linux) to SSD/HDD without reinstalling system and applications.

  • Right-click the external drive or USB you intend to format and choose "Format".
  • Set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size, then click "OK".
  • Click "Yes" to continue.
  • Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button and click "Apply" to format the hard drive partition.

This partition software can also be used for system cache cleanup and a bunch of other different operations.

2. File Explorer

You can also format Bitlocker Partition using File Explore, even without a recovery key or password. However, you will lose your data.

But, in case you have the password or recovery key and want to backup your essential data, follow the steps mentioned in Part 1 before applying this step.

To format BitLocker partitions in Windows 11 with File Explorer, you need to:

Step 1: Open the Windows Explorer window by clicking on the File menu.

Step 2: Next, right-click on the BitLocker drive (or the one you wish to format) and select "Format".

format bitlocker drive using file explorer

3. Disk Management

Here's how you format a BitLocker partition using Disk Management in Windows 11.

Step 1. First, go to Start Menu > Administration Tools > Computer Management, and then select Disk Management from the left side menu. You can also just search for Disk Management directly in the search bar of your taskbar.

format bitlocker drive using disk management

Step 2. Right-click the BitLocker partition you want to format and click on Format. You'll be prompted to give it a name and assign it a file system. Please give it a name that helps you remember what's stored on it, and pick NTFS as the file system for all BitLocker partitions.

Step 3. Click OK to begin formatting.

Conclusion

The article provides easy methods to format BitLocker Partition and remove BitLocker with and without losing your essential data.

You must remember to disable or turn off the BitLocker Partition and Backup your important data before proceeding to format.

If you are still confused or want to get all this work done in the most accessible way, you can choose our EaseUS Partition Master software to help you.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

By the way, if you are a professional computer user with good experience in partition management, you don't need to use any software for formatting BitLocker Partition since we just try our best in this article for those beginners.

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About the Author

Updated by Sherly

Sherly joined EaseUS in 2022 and she has always loved writing articles and enjoys the fun they bring. She receives professional training here, focusing on product performance and other relative knowledge. She has written over 200 articles to help people overcome computing issues.

Read full bio

Written by Tracy King

Tracy became a member of the EaseUS content team in 2013. Being a technical writer for over 10 years, she is enthusiastic about sharing tips to assist readers in resolving complex issues in disk management, file transfer, PC & Mac performance optimization, etc., like an expert.

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