How to Add or Remove Unlock Drive Context Menu in Windows

information   Information
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.

BitLocker can encrypt the drive Windows is installed on (the operating system drive) as well as fixed data drives (such as internal hard drives). You can also use BitLocker To Go to help protect all files stored on a removable data drive (such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive).

You can choose how you want to unlock an encrypted data drive: with a password or a smart card. For removable data drives encrypted with BitLocker To Go, you can set the drive to automatically unlock instead when you sign in to the PC. For fixed data drives, you can also set the drive to automatically unlock when you unlock the PC, if you prefer, as long as the operating system drive is BitLocker-protected.

If you didn't choose to automatically unlock a BitLocker encrypted fixed or removable data drive when connected, then you will see Unlock Drive in their context menu as the default action to make it easier to unlock them.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Unlock Drive context menu from locked drives encrypted by BitLocker for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the "Unlock Drive" context menu.
Note   Note
If you remove the Unlock Drive context menu, you will still be able to unlock the drive from BitLocker Drive Encryption (Manage BitLocker) in the Control Panel (icons view).

For Windows 7, BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise editions.

For Windows 8/8.1, BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

For Windows 10, BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

EXAMPLE: Add or Remove "Unlock Drive" context menu
Add or Remove Unlock Drive Context Menu in Windows-unlock_drive.jpg Add or Remove Unlock Drive Context Menu in Windows-unlock_drive_removed.jpg



Here's How:

1. Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Add "Unlock Drive" to Context Menu of Locked Drives

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_Unlock_Drive_to_context_menu.reg

Download


 3. To Remove "Unlock Drive" from Context Menu of Locked Drives

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_Unlock_Drive_from_context_menu.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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