Windows – pause the running encryption of BitLocker

bitlockerencryptionSecuritywindows

I have a 3 TB external hard drive that I want to encrypt with BitLocker. I have chosen a strong password as my unlock method. TPM is not used.

Can I pause BitLocker's ongoing encryption so I can temporarily unplug the external hard drive? Will the encryption continue when I reconnect it?

Best Answer

While the computer is busy encrypting the drive, you can temporarily pause the Encryption. Open an Administrative command prompt and issue the following command:

manage-bde -pause X:

where X: is the drive-letter being Encrypted.

You can resume the Encryption process with the following command:

manage-bde -resume X:

This can be done for both Encryption and Decryption.

See Microsoft documentation at manage-bde: pause.

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