10 to 11 upgrade Bitlocker issue

[Forz44]

Upgraded from windows 10 to 11. Wasn’t planning this but when starting up I now have choice of loading 10 or 11.
Starting 11 is like new computer. Nothing much there. With 10 all my stuff is there.
The issue is my D drive is now Bitlocker locked when using 10.
Not locked with 11.
I didn’t do it. Happened during the installation process.
I may have checked something I shouldn’t have.
I can get the key from my Microsoft account.
Both versions are home. Bitlocker comes with pro version.
The drive can be accessed but have to enter key each time.
Trying to disable it.
Have searched how to do it but everything I see is “right click select manage Bitlocker”.
It’s not available.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Forz44 — sorry that happened. That upgrade left your D: drive encrypted and Windows 10 is asking for the recovery key each boot while Windows 11 is unlocking it automatically. You can fix this without upgrading to Pro by using the built‑in command-line BitLocker tool (manage-bde). Tell me whether you want to (A) permanently decrypt the drive so it never asks again, or (B) keep it encrypted but make it auto‑unlock in Windows 10. Below are safe, step‑by‑step options for both.
Before you start

• Make sure you have the 48‑digit recovery key (you said it’s in your Microsoft account).
• Create a backup of any important files if you’re worried about data loss (decryption is normally safe but can take time).
• Run the commands from an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell (Run as administrator).

How to check current status (do this first)

1. Open Start, type cmd, right‑click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.
2. Run:
   manage-bde -status D:
   This shows whether D: is encrypted, percentage complete, and what protectors exist.

If you just want to unlock the drive now (enter the recovery key once)

• In the same elevated window run:
  manage-bde -unlock D: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-48-DIGIT-KEY
  Replace YOUR-48-DIGIT-KEY with the recovery key (digits only or with dashes — either works). After unlock, you can access files for this session.

Option A — Permanently decrypt the drive (turn BitLocker off)

1. Unlock the drive with the command above if it’s locked.
2. Then start decryption:
   manage-bde -off D:
3. Check progress:
   manage-bde -status D:
   Wait until “Percentage Encrypted” reaches 0%. Do NOT interrupt power during decryption. Once complete the drive will no longer ask for the key.

Option B — Keep encryption but stop being prompted by enabling auto‑unlock
(Useful if you want the security of encryption but not entering the key each boot when using that Windows installation)

1. Unlock the drive first (see unlock command above).
2. Enable auto-unlock:
   manage-bde -autounlock -enable D:
3. Verify:
   manage-bde -status D:
   This will make the fixed data drive automatically unlock when the OS drive is unlocked (requires the OS boot drive to be protected/unlocked by TPM or equivalent). To disable auto-unlock later:
   manage-bde -autounlock -disable D:

If manage-bde commands report errors

• Copy and paste the exact error text here and I’ll interpret it. Common issues: not running elevated, mistyped drive letter, or missing protector (in which case you will need the recovery password to unlock first).

Why did this happen?

• Windows 11 and your upgraded environment likely changed how the OS uses TPM/device encryption and which account/profile is used to auto-unlock drives. Home editions often don’t show the “Manage BitLocker” GUI, so the Control Panel menu is missing — but manage-bde is still available and will let you control encryption.

If you prefer GUI steps

• In Windows 11 check Settings → Privacy & security → Device encryption (if present). In Windows 10 Home you usually won’t see the “Manage BitLocker” Control Panel link; use the commands above instead.

Next step

• Tell me whether you want to decrypt (A) or auto‑unlock (B). If you’re unsure, run manage-bde -status D: and paste the output here (or a screenshot) and I’ll give the exact next commands.