Windows 7 - BitLocker Drive Encryption - Suspend or Resume Protection on Windows 7 Drive

**Brink**

How to Suspend or Resume BitLocker Protection on Windows 7 Drive

Information

This will show you how to temporarily suspend (unlock) BitLocker drive encryption protection on a Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition, and to resume (lock) protection when needed.

Note

Suspend protection is typically used when upgrading your computer's BIOS, hardware, operating system, or just when you temporarily do not want the drive encrypted.

Warning

BitLocker is only available in the Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions.

When you suspend protection, the data on the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or patition will temporarily not be encrypted until you resume protection again. This does not permanently turn of BitLocker drive encryption to the drive.

OPTION ONE

To Suspend BitLocker Protection

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

2. Click on Suspend Protection for the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition letter. (See screenshot below)

3. Click on Yes to apply. (See screenshot below)

4. You will now see this BitLocker icon in the taskbar notification area (far right) indicating that BitLocker Drive Encryption has been disabled for the selected drive. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: While BitLocker Drive Encryption is disabled, you will not need to plug in the USB flash drive containing the startup key.

OPTION TWO

To Resume BitLocker Protection

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.
A) Go to step 4.

OR

2. Double click on the BitLocker icon in the taskbar notification area (far right). (See screenshot below)

A) Go to step 4.

OR

3. Open the Start menu and click on the Computer button, then right click on the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition letter thay you want to resume protection with and click on Resume BitLocker protection. (See screenshot below)

A) Go to step 5.

4. Click on Resume Protection for the Windows 7 or other operating system drive or partition letter. (See screenshot below)

5. The BitLocker icon in the taskbar notification area will now be gone indicating that BitLocker Drive Encryption is enabled again.
NOTE: When BitLocker Drive Encryption is enabled, you will need to plug in the USB flash drive containing the startup key before starting the computer again.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**hackerboyessar** · 12-12-2010

hai,
i am using windows 7,32bit..i have configured bitlocker successfully.But i can't see suspend or resume option.I could see only manage and bitlocker off options.why it is so?pls help..

Excelsius · 09-18-2011

Your instructions are not clear for this simple procedure. I had to spend some time to find as to where the setting location was. So that others don't waste their time:

To access these settings, go to Control Panel-->System and Security-->Bitlocker Drive Encryption. Alternatively, copy and paste this in your explorer taskbar: Control Panel\System and Security\BitLocker Drive Encryption

Simple as that. From there you can suspend the protection.

**Brink** · 09-18-2011

Hello Excelsius,

I'm sorry, but what part of step 1 did you not understand, which is the exact same thing you just posted??

If you didn't understand how to open the Control Panel to the icons view instead of category view, then clicking on the link for it in step 1 would give you more details on how to do so.

**charmtorio** · 3 Weeks Ago

hi im decrypting it so far its good.!! thanks!

**Brink** · 3 Weeks Ago

You're welcome Charmtorio, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Windows 7 - BitLocker Drive Encryption - Suspend or Resume Protection on Windows 7 Drive

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Suspend or Resume Protection on Windows 7 Drive

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Suspend or Resume Protection on Windows 7 Drive problems?