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My hard drive icon features an unlocked padlock near it. How do I lock it?

prostojr · 7 Sep 2026 at 16:06 · permalink

I've a Window 11 PC, and a Samsung SSD.

I switched my account from local to microsoft. I understadn this is Bitlocker's work but I don't want my SSD to be public. How do I fix this?

nguyenbinhcter · 7 Sep 2026 at 16:08 · permalink

That is the lock for Bitlocker. It will show as unlocked when you're signed into your account. The drive will be locked when you lock your screen. For instance, when you press Windows + L

CounterRaven · 7 Sep 2026 at 17:04 · permalink

Bitlocker encrypts your data at rest. Nothing is public ever, unless you share it, of course .

rizanyshka · 7 Sep 2026 at 17:05 · permalink

Bitlocker does nothing to protect your drive if you make it "public" , I think you mean share. If you share it with "everyone" then anyone on your network can look or even change stuff on the drive.

The only thing bitlocker has proven good at is locking users out of their data, just read a few posts. If people have access to your computer and can login then they can look at the drive based on how you set the window setting for those directories (sounds like you don't).

If you are worried about someone opening your computer , taking out the drive and attaching to another computer , then bitlocker would prevent them from reading it.

Bitlocker is not there to protect you , it is there to make you dependent on Microsoft. Do you have a hard copy of your bitlocker (not on your computer). Me I put the bitlocker key on the bottom of my laptop.

TheMightyElephant · 7 Sep 2026 at 17:15 · permalink

Your drive isn't public lol, that lock just means bitlocker is possible but the drive is unlocked/decrypted.

prostojr · 7 Sep 2026 at 17:16 · permalink

I took a pic of the keys from the site. Does that count?

j0rney13131313 · 7 Sep 2026 at 18:11 · permalink

Windows Home or Pro? Home uses Device Encryption, a lighter version of BitLocker found on Pro.

TheLobotomistOfSin · 7 Sep 2026 at 18:30 · permalink

Disable bitlocker, Then do the same from services.msc then the icon will disappear. (restart after disable)

Bulka_or_bulka · 7 Sep 2026 at 18:56 · permalink

Turn the computer off. That's the only scenario where the system drive is locked when using bitlocker.

rizanyshka · 7 Sep 2026 at 23:10 · permalink

Picture fine.

It seems if you run Power Shell as an Admin then (even better run ISE the debug platform for Power Shell)

manage-bde -protectors -get C: .... C is the drive

Should retrieve the key. Since I unencrypted my drives it cannot retrieve the key to test this.

prostojr · 7 Sep 2026 at 23:11 · permalink

I'll try this out then get back to you.

rizanyshka · 7 Sep 2026 at 23:27 · permalink

Great , then I can be embarrassed when it does not work. Be sure to run as admin and not do any change commands.