How to Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10


BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned computers.

When you turn on BitLocker for the operating system drive, you can configure it to require a PIN (with TPM) or password to unlock the drive. Administrative privileges are required to configure BitLocker for operating system drives.

When you turn on BitLocker for a fixed or removable data drive, you can configure it to require a password to unlock the drive.

A BitLocker password can be 8 to 256 characters long including uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, numbers, and spaces.

This tutorial will show you how to change the BitLocker password of an encrypted drive in Windows 10.

Before you can change the PIN or password on a BitLocker protected drive, you must unlock the drive.



Contents

  • Option One: Change BitLocker Password in This PC
  • Option Two: Change BitLocker Password in Manage BitLocker Control Panel
  • Option Three: Change BitLocker Password in Command Prompt






OPTION ONE

Change BitLocker Password in This PC


1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E), and do step 2 or step 3 below for what you would like to do.

2 Right click or press and hold on the drive (ex: "F") encrypted by BitLocker, click/tap on Change BitLocker password, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password_in_this_pc-1.png

3 Select the drive (ex: "F") encrypted by BitLocker, click/tap on the "Drive Tools" Manage tab, click/tap on the BitLocker button in the ribbon, click/tap on Change password/PIN, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password_in_this_pc-2.png

4 Type in the Old password, type in a New password, type the new password again to Confirm new password, and click/tap on Change password. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password-1.png

5 If the password has been successfully changed, click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password-2.png

6 You can now close File Explorer if you like.






OPTION TWO

Change BitLocker Password in Manage BitLocker Control Panel


1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.

2 Under the encrypted drive you want to change the password for, click/tap on the Change password link. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password_in_control_panel.jpg

3 Type in the Old password, type in a New password, type the new password again to Confirm new password, and click/tap on Change password. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password-1.png

4 If the password has been successfully changed, click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password-2.png

5 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.






OPTION THREE

Change BitLocker Password in Command Prompt


You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.


1 Open an elevated command prompt.

2 Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

manage-bde -changepassword <drive letter>:

Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter (ex: "F") of the encrypted drive you want to change the password for.

For example: manage-bde -changepassword F:


3 When prompted in the elevated command prompt, Type the new password, and press Enter.

4 When prompted in the elevated command prompt, Confirm the new password by typing it again, and press Enter.

5 If your password has been successfully updated, you can now close the elevated command prompt.

Change BitLocker Password in Windows 10-change_bitlocker_password_in_command_prompt.png


That's all,
Shawn


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