Format Bitlocker encrypted disk without key

Pedro Alves 96

I have a SSD disk bitlocker encrypted, but i don't know the key. I don't want to recover any data, i just want to format it, but it doesn't allow to format. Can anyone help?

Andry Art 6 Reputation points

2021-10-25T15:06:05.037+00:00

Or just pull out the SSD/HDD and format it with external drive/USB adapter. I did it like that with cmd DISKPART or any partition wipe tools.
Jim Foster 6 Reputation points

2022-09-06T17:23:11.233+00:00

Run the Windows 10 installation media from a USB. Download is free. You should be able to remove the partitions and reinstall a fresh basic Win10 on the disk. Then you should be able to format the disk properly.
Best,
Jim
michael gray 0 Reputation points

2026-03-30T18:49:25.5366667+00:00

Thank you Jim Foster it worked perfectly

Answer accepted by question author

Pedro Alves 96

So... Manufacter says that the only solution is to unlock bitlocker and Microsoft says the same... And if i don't have the key, there is no solution!

Danilo Liwag 5 Reputation points

2023-09-06T00:04:22.17+00:00

Hi!

If you are formating an OS Bitlocker encrypted drive, follow the steps below

At the very start of the Installation Process, press Shift + F10, or Shift + Fn + F10 to open Command Prompt

Run this command and hit Enter:

diskpart

Run this command and hit Enter:

list disk
(Make note of the disk number you want to wipe and enter it into the next command - replace X)

Run this command and hit Enter:

select disk X

Note: select the encrypted disk in the list and replace the X

Run this command and hit Enter:

clean

Run this command and hit Enter:

convert gpt

Then close Command Prompt, then restart the PC to begin the installation

Hope this helps.

19 additional answers

Anonymous

2021-04-14T18:02:29.723+00:00

Might try from a different PC with the disk in a USB cradle.
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Pedro Alves 96 Reputation points

2021-04-14T18:01:02.79+00:00

That was the first step i tried. My idea was to delete partitions to install a new windows 10 instalation, but it didn't work. I really thought that this would be a simple process because i don't want to retrieve any info from the disk. But i am getting a little upset because i don't seem to can get this resolved and the disk may have became unuasable... And for a SSD with 500 GB... it's a shame
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Anonymous

2021-04-14T17:54:00.8+00:00

Might try booting the installation media to delete / recreate partitions.

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Anonymous

2021-04-14T14:20:03.533+00:00

Try using a bigger hammer Ubuntu Live CD

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Format Bitlocker encrypted disk without key

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