How to Format BitLocker Drive in Windows 10

Check BitLocker drive before formatting it

If you are attempting to format a BitLocker drive, follow the steps below to restore it to its original state. Initially, open the Windows File Explorer to verify the status of your BitLocker encrypted drive:

Case 1. BitLocker drive is locked If your BitLocker drive or USB is encrypted with a golden lock icon, it is currently locked. You will need to unlock it before formatting.

Case 2. BitLocker drive is unlocked If your BitLocker drive is unlocked with an opened-lock icon, the drive data is currently visible and you can access and modify the saved files. In this scenario, you can directly format the BitLocker drive without inputting the password.

Format BitLocker encrypted drive without password

It makes no difference if you have missed the BitLocker password or have misplaced it. Through the use of its powerful Format feature, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard will format the BitLocker encrypted hard drive, USB flash drive, and SD card to various file systems such as FAT32, NTFS, FAT, and so on. When it comes to managing partitions on disk storage devices, it applies to all levels of Windows users across the board.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

✎ Option 1. Format encrypted hard drive directly

1. Install and launch the program. Right-click the BitLocker encrypted drive and choose Format Partition.

2. Select the file system for the encrypted drive.

3. Click Apply to format a BitLocker encrypted drive without a key.

Then restart your computer, and you will find the BitLocker has been removed.

Format BitLocker drive with passwords on Windows

It is important to keep in mind that to decrypt your drive after a BitLocker password has encrypted it, you will first need to unlock it. After the BitLocker drive has been locked, Windows will modify the parameters of the file system, directory entries, and other significant disk properties. We will walk you through the process of unlocking BitLocker Drive on Windows 11/10/8/7 by using a password.

Stage 1. Unlock Bitlocker drive before formatting

Way 1. Unlock BitLocker in File Explorer

Step 1. Open Windows File Explorer and locate the BitLocker encrypted drive.

Step 2. Double-click the BitLocker drive or external drive, and enter your password in the pop-up window.

Step 3. And click "Unlock" to unlock the drive.

Way 2. Use commands to remove BitLocker

Step 1. Type cmd in Windows Search and right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator".

Step 2. Type diskpart and hit Enter.

Step 3. Type the following commands and hit Enter each time:

list disk
select disk *
list partition
select partition * (Replace * with the partition label of your BitLocker drive or USB)
delete partition overrride

Step 4. Type exit to close the diskpart window.

Stage 2. Format BitLocker drive

Way 1. Format BitLocker in File Explorer

Step 1. Connect your BitLocker drive to your PC if it's an external storage device.

Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer and, right-click on the BitLocker drive, select "Format".

Step 3. Tick "Quick Format" on the format window, set the file system (NTFS for an internal hard drive, FAT32 for USB/SD smaller than 32GB, exFAT for a big external drive), and click "Start."

Way 2. Format BitLocker Drive via Disk Management

Step 1. Type Control Panel in the search box. And click "Control Panel".

Step 2. Click "Administrative Tools" > "Computer Management" > "Disk Management".

Step 3. Right-click on the drive or partition and click on "Format".

Step 4. Select the file system and set the cluster size.

Step 5. Click "OK" to format the BitLocker encrypted disk, USB flash drive, or SD card.

Way 3. Format BitLocker Drive in DiskPart

Step 1. Type cmd in the Search box, right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator".

Step 2. Type diskpart and hit Enter.

Step 3. Type the following commands and hit Enter each time to format the BitLocker drive:

list disk
select disk *
list volume
select volume *
format fs=ntfs quick

Step 4. When DiskPart tells the format has been completed, type exit and hit enter to close DiskPart.

Ending

We have explained what BitLocker encryption is, as well as the comprehensive procedure for uninstalling or formatting the BitLocker drive from your personal computer, on this page.

To ensure the safety of your data, we strongly recommend that you first unlock the drive, then make a backup of the data, and last format the BitLocker disk, USB, or SD card in a straightforward manner. AOMEI Partition Assistant or Windows File Explorer Formatting are two different programs that can assist with formatting most straightforwardly.