Guide: How to Edit BitLocker Password in Windows 10 PC
BitLocker, Microsoft’s encryption software that debuted in 2007 with Windows Vista, provides an extra layer of security to protect your data from unauthorized access or changes at the system or firmware level. To access the encrypted drive, you’ll need a password or PIN (in the case of a TMP chip) that can be 8 to 256 characters long. Here’s how to change your BitLocker password in Windows 10.
It is recommended to regularly change passwords for security reasons, whether due to difficulty remembering or suspicion of a breach.
1. Change the BitLocker password from the Drive menu
Press the Windows key + E shortcut to open File Explorer and access This PC. Right-click on the drive you want to change the password for and select Change BitLocker Password to alter its security.
To reset your BitLocker password, enter your old one first, then the new one you’d like to use. Keep in mind that passwords can include up to 256 characters of alphanumeric and special characters.
To ensure your changes are saved, click “Change Password” and make sure to write down the new password in a secure place.
2. Change the BitLocker password from Control Panel
If the shortcut to change your BitLocker password isn’t visible, you can still do it through Control Panel. Look for ‘Manage BitLocker’ in the Start menu to access it.
Users can now access the BitLocker Control Panel to change their password. Simply click on the station name to display the options and select “Change password.”
If you forget your BitLocker password, you can recover it using the ‘Back up your recovery key’ option in the pop-up window that appears when changing your password.
To back up your recovery key, you have two options: save it to your Microsoft account with two-factor authentication enabled, or save it to a file and print it for offline storage. Once you’ve chosen an option, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
3. Change the BitLocker password from the command prompt
For those unable to change their BitLocker password, there’s no need to fret. A CMD command prompt trick can help bypass the usual settings and get the job done.
Access the Command Prompt with administrator privileges by searching for CMD in the Start menu and selecting Run as administrator.
To change the password of a drive, enter the command “net user administrator * /add /y drive letter” and replace ‘drive letter’ with the capitalized letter of the desired drive. For example, “net user administrator * /add /y E”.
Entering a specific command in Windows 10 allows users to change their password without needing to enter the old one. This can be useful if they have forgotten it, but it also raises security concerns. To ensure your laptop is secure, always lock it and use Windows Hello for authentication.
When entering a new password in the CMD, users won’t see the cursor move for security purposes. This can be confusing, but they will be asked to re-enter it for verification and receive a success message afterwards. Be careful when typing the password to avoid any accidental hacks or leaks.
Users can now test out the new password feature on BitLocker drives, allowing them to lock and unlock the drive with ease.
BitLocker Alternative: VeraCrypt
Searching Google for a BitLocker alternative is simple. For Windows Home users, I suggest VeraCrypt. It’s free, open-source and user-friendly, making it a great choice among the many options available.
VeraCrypt provides enterprise-level encryption, allowing users to secure internal and external drives, partitions and virtual drives with the popular AES algorithm or other options such as Camellia and Twofish.
Plausible Deniability is a useful tool for protecting sensitive data from hackers. It allows users to present fake, arbitrary data sets instead of the real information.
Lockdown
BitLocker is an unbeatable security solution for computers with a TPM chip. To ensure your data remains safe, keep your password in a secure, offline location and remember to change it regularly - Microsoft makes this easy.
Secure your data before sharing online: Learn how to encrypt zip files with AES. Follow the link for instructions.
How to Edit BitLocker Password in Windows 10 PC: benefits
Faq
Final note
If you’re looking to edit your BitLocker password on a Windows 10 PC, this guide has you covered. Got questions? Reach out for help. And don’t forget to share the love by passing it along to friends.
Have questions about editing BitLocker passwords in Windows 10? Need help correcting misinformation or adding alternate methods? Contact us through our website, social media accounts, or Telegram channel. We’re here to help 24-48 hours a day (weekends excluded).
