Can't get Bitlocker to encrypt C: drive

Hi,

Windows 10 1903 on a Dell XPS 8700, no TPM. Did a clean install of Win 10, can't make Bitlocker encrypt. Have done this at least twice before, once on this computer (It worked fine. I wiped hard drive, installed Linux, coming back to Win 10. Also encrypted a laptop with TPM).

Tried all setup combinations I could think of, entered password, restarted, eventually getting this error message:



Not sure I did this image right. It says this:

Bitlocker could not be enabled
The data drive specified is not set to automatically unlock on the current computer and cannot be unlocked automatically.
C: was not encrypted

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stan

Thanks for the reply. I followed all those instructions . . . restarted, did not get the screen asking for my password. Instead got the message I mentioned.

Thanks. I understand. Yes, followed all instructions. I've done this twice before, successfully. Something unusual is going on here. I just don't know what it is. Don't know the meaning of the error message I got, but had not seen it before this encryption effort.

If my company didn't require it, I'd just run it without encryption. (:

Stan

Thanks for your reply. I have not looked at the BIOS settings. Have not changed the BIOS since I originally encrypted the drive a couple of years ago, and it worked fine then, but it's worth a look.

I'll take a look at the settings when I'm in my office again and report back.

- - - Updated - - -

OK. Looked at BIOS, enabled Secure Boot and UEFI, computer would not boot. Went back to Legacy Boot and UEFI disabled. Booted.

Went though Bitlocker setup again, this time at final stage, unchecked "Run Bitlocker system check," and encryption started. Tomorrow I'll see if I have created other problems. If so, probably next step is to wipe the hard disk and start over.

Stan

- - - Updated - - -

Final post: What I did above worked. Drive is encrypted. When I restarted, I got the expected blue screen asking for my password. So all is well . . . at least so it seems.

Thanks to those who offered suggestions. I appreciate your input so much!

Stan