AOMEI Partition Assistant
[Solved] BitLocker Offline Files Access Denied and Unable to Unencrypt
When encountering BitLocker offline files access denied, you can reopen BitLocker or run Service to solve it. Besides, you can learn to easily manage BitLocker in the future.
By Irene / Updated on December 4, 2024
User case: BitLocker offline files access denied on my Windows PC
My Documents are configured to automatically sync for offline files, and this has been working fine in Windows 7. Recently, I upgraded to Windows 10 and enabled BitLocker. On Windows 10, when I attempt to access the offline files, I encounter the following error. Does BitLocker encrypt offline files? The Event Viewer does not provide additional information about the error of offline files. However, I can confirm that the files are not synchronizing work created when the laptop is offline back to the server as a result of this issue. What should I do now?
- Question from Spiceworks
Enabling BitLocker and synchronization is undoubtedly beneficial for convenient access and data safety. However, there may be instances where you encounter the prompt Offline file access denied, contact your administrator when attempting to open created files. Why does the BitLocker offline files access denied and unable to unencrypt? The reasons for this offline file access denial can vary:
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BitLocker Encryption Conflict: BitLocker encrypts the entire drive, including offline files. If there's a misconfiguration or error during encryption, the access may be denied. This will also cause computer shut off after BitLocker encryption.
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Service Misconfiguration: The BitLocker Drive Encryption Service might not be set to start automatically, preventing proper file access.
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User Permissions: Insufficient permissions or incorrect setup might block access to offline files.
If you encounter BitLocker offline files access denied on Windows computers, there is no need to worry. In this post, we are pleased to offer you corresponding solutions.
How to fix BitLocker offline files access denied on Windows PC?
Turning off BitLocker and reopening it, or running the service to fix BitLocker offline files access denied, are both effective solutions. In this section, we will show you how.
Way 1. Turn off BitLocker and reopen it
As the user query: Does BitLocker encrypt offline files? Yes, BitLocker encrypts the entire drive, including offline files, to enhance data security. When BitLocker is enabled, it helps protect the data on the disk by encrypting it, whether the files are accessed online or offline.
If you encounter BitLokcer offline files access denied, it is a good idea to turn off BitLocker and then turn on it.
Step 1. Access "Settings" and type "encryption" in the search box, then click on the "Manage BitLocker" option.
Step 2. When the window appears, click the "Turn off BitLocker" button and input the right password.
Step 3. Confirm the operation by selecting "Turn off BitLocker." The drive is now unlocked.
Step 4. Restart your PC, go to "Settings," and click on "Storage." In the "Storage management" menu, choose "Advanced storage settings" and click "Properties" for the desired volume.
Step 5. Select "Turn on BitLocker" and establish the password.
Way 2. Use Service to troubleshoot offline files access denied
The primary solution for resolving the "BitLocker can't encrypt the drive access is denied" problem involves addressing the access denied error on the service. To do this, ensure that the BitLocker Drive Encryption Service is set to start automatically.
To fix the "BitLocker can't encrypt the drive access is denied" issue by checking the "BitLocker Drive Encryption Service," follow the step-by-step guide below:
Step 1. Begin by simultaneously pressing the Win + R keys on the keyboard to open the "Run" box. In the Run box, type services.msc and then click the "OK" button.
Step 2. Locate "BitLocker Drive Encryption Service" in the right panel of the Services Window and double-click on it.
Step 3. In the window that opens, choose the "Automatic" option from the "Startup type" drop-down menu and click "OK" to save the changes.
Step 4. Within the pane providing the description of BitLocker Drive Encryption Service, select "Restart the service."
Step 5. Finally, restart your PC, and you will find that the BitLocker drive can be opened again without any issues.
It was a straightforward solution to address the "BitLocker access denied offline files on Windows PCs" error on the Service.
Tip: An easier way to manage BitLocker on Windows PCs
Windows BitLocker is a sophisticated tool for data security. However, it may not be accessible to all users due to its complex technical skill requirements and challenging troubleshooting steps when problems arise. Therefore, we would like to recommend a more easier alternative for easy BitLocker management: AOMEI Partition Assistant.
Everything you need to manage in BitLocker is collected within the software's primary function—BitLocker. No need to go through Control Panel or Settings to turn it on or off when issues arise; a few clicks are all it takes. Besides, it supports enabling BitLocker for Home users, performing tasks like backing up the recovery key, changing the password, locking the drive, and turning off BitLocker, all within a single function
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
1. Back up recovery key
Step 1. When setting and confirming a password to encrypt the drive, you can choose the way to back up the recovery key.
If you select "Save to a file", please choose a location on your PC to save the recovery key.
If you select "Print the recovery key", it will enable the print function on your PC to print the recovery key. Then, you can click the "Next" button to finish the backup process.
2. Change BitLocker password
Step 1. Locate the encrypted drive for which you want to change the password, then click on the option "Change password".
Step 2. You have two options for changing the password: Use password to change drive password or Use recovery key to change drive password. Choose the method you prefer.
Step 3. If the change is successful, you'll see a window that says "Password changed successfully".
3. Lock/Unlock the drive
If the drive is unlocked, you can click the option "Lock the drive" to lock it directly.
If the drive is already locked, "Unlock the drive" will be the only available option to manage BitLocker. You must unlock the drive before you can manage BitLocker settings for the drive.
4. Turn off BitLocker
Besides easily turning on BitLocker on Windows 10 Home, AOMEI Partition Assistant also offers an easy way to turn it off.
Step 1. Locate the encrypted drive you want to decrypt, then click the option "Turn off BitLocker".
Step 2. You have two options for decrypting the drive: Use password to decrypt the drive or Use recovery key to decrypt the drive. Choose the method that suits your needs. And then begin the closing process.
Summary
BitLocker offline files access denied can be fixed by 2 ways: reopening the BitLocker and running Service. If you want to easily deal with BitLocker issues in the future, it is advisable to use AOMEI Partition Assistant.
This is an all-in-one tool. If you suffer insufficient disk space warning, you can try to use it move installed apps to another drive, remove large or duplicate files, or even allocate free space from empty drive. When you plan to upgrade your disk or computer, the OS Migration and Clone Disk functions allows you to quickly transfer the original data to the new device.
If you are a Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 (R2) user, you can choose the AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition for a working environment.
FAQs
1. What causes the "Offline file access denied" issue in BitLocker?
This issue can occur due to BitLocker encryption conflicts or improper service settings.
2. How can I fix the "Offline file access denied" problem?
You can either turn off and then turn on BitLocker or ensure the BitLocker Drive Encryption Service is set to start automatically.
3. Does BitLocker encrypt offline files?
Yes, BitLocker encrypts the entire drive, including offline files, to enhance security.
4. What are the steps to turn off and then turn on BitLocker?
Go to Settings > Manage BitLocker, turn it off, restart your PC, and then turn it back on via the same settings.
5. What is AOMEI Partition Assistant, and how can it help with BitLocker?
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a tool that simplifies BitLocker management, allowing easy enabling, disabling, and managing of encrypted drives.
