Is it safe to delete ReAgent.xml when resuming BitLocker?

Question

_{Thursday, July 25, 2019 5:06 AM}

We are trying to enable UEFI on systems that were upgraded from Windows 7 with Legacy boot and enabled BitLocker.

First step is to suspend bitlocker, then run mbr2gpt tool, then change BIOS settings to UEFI, Secure Boot. And after a reboot to resume bitlocker (and hide new D partition which is created when converting to gpt). But resuming BitLocker fails with an error that it can't access some file. Google tells that you need to delete C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml file. If we delete it, then BitLocker resumes. Although on restart it asks for Recovery key. So instead of deleting it we try to rename that file, resume BitLocker, delete newly created ReAgent.xml and then rename old file back to ReAgent.xml.

It works. But i wonder if we are not missing something. This file looks like a template of WinRE settings file, actually it looks weird with 0000 guides inside of it. Maybe we will have some problems later after doing such machinations?

All replies (4)

_{Thursday, July 25, 2019 12:22 PM}

You can delete,reset or rename ReAgent.xml

To rename:

1.Open an elevated command prompt 
2.Go to  C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\
3.Rename the file ReAgent.xml:

     ren ReAgent.xml ReAgent.old

4.Start Bitlocker

S.Sengupta,Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT, Windows Insider MVP

_{Thursday, July 25, 2019 1:05 PM}

I know it is technically possible, but I wonder what issues might come up in the future after doing so.

_{Friday, July 26, 2019 6:46 AM}

Hi,

Don’t worry.  It won’t cause other problems if renaming ReAgent.xml has resolved your issue. In many scenarios, we need to rename or delete this file such as repairing the WinRE and re-enabling BitLocker.

In case something goes wrong with this file, we can reset it. We could refer to the “Reset the ReAgent.xml File” section in the following link:

Repairing the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/kb/article.php?id=587

Please Note: Since the website is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Best Regards,

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_{Sunday, July 28, 2019 1:47 PM}

Hi,
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Best Regards，

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