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How to Wipe a Laptop with BitLocker [With/Without Password]
Want to factory reset a Dell/HP laptop with BitLocker? This guide covers the process of resetting the system and ensuring complete data removal. Scroll down to learn more.
By Lily Updated on February 24, 2025
User case: How to wipe a laptop with BitLocker
“I need to know how to create an installation media to download windows 10 and format my HP Envy laptop. I can't find the bitlocker key, I have looked for weeks. I just want to be able to use it again. I didn't have anything saved on it, because I haven't had it long. Any help is appreciated.”
– Microsoft Community
When you're ready to wipe your laptop clean, whether for resale, donation, or simply to start fresh, ensuring your data is fully erased is crucial. What if your laptop is BitLocker-encrypted? How can you wipe a laptop with BitLocker successfully? Please read on.
AOMEI BackupperTo completely wipe your laptop including OS, try the best disk wipe tool.
How to reset a laptop with BitLocker with password
If you still have your BitLocker password and can access Windows, learn how to factory reset Dell/HP laptop with BitLocker as follows:
Step 1. Disable BitLocker Encryption
1. Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption. You’ll see a list of drives and whether BitLocker is enabled on them.
2. Next to the drive you want to decrypt (usually the C: drive), click on Turn off BitLocker. You might be asked to confirm the action or provide an administrator password.
Step 2. Reset the Laptop Using Windows Settings
1. Navigate to Reset this PC.
- In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset PC in the Reset this PC section.
- In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and click Get started under Reset this PC.
2. Choose Remove everything to remove all your personal files, apps and settings.
3. Choose a way to reinstall Windows:
- Cloud download will download the latest version of Windows, which is useful if you want the most up-to-date version.
- Local reinstall will use the copy of Windows already on the laptop.
4. Check your current settings and click Next. You may click Change settings as necessary.
5. Click Reset to begin the reset process.
How to wipe a laptop with BitLocker without password
If you forgot your BitLocker password and can’t access Windows now, don’t worry! Try the following methods to wipe a BitLocker-encrypted laptop without password:
Method 1: Using Windows installation media
1. Boot your laptop from Windows installation media. If you don’t have one, download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft website to create one.
2. After entering WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
3. Click Remove everything under the Reset this PC option.
4. Choose Local reinstall or Cloud download to install Windows OS after resetting.
5. In the next window, you can choose Just remove my files if you plan to keep the device, or Fully clean the drive if you decide to recycle this laptop.
6. Confirm your settings and choose Reset to begin resetting your laptop.
Method 2: Using professional disk wipe tool
AOMEI Backupper Professional is a robust disk wiping tool that can securely erase a BitLocker-encrypted drive. It goes beyond basic deletion by utilizing advanced algorithms to permanently wipe all data, ensuring it can't be recovered.
AOMEI Backupper-
Full Disk Wipe: Overwrites the entire drive, including all partitions, by writing zeros or random data to ensure permanent deletion.
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Partition Wipe: Lets you wipe specific partitions without affecting the entire drive, offering more targeted data removal.
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Compatibility: Supports a wide range of storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and more, providing a complete solution for all types of drives.
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Bootable Media Creation: Creates a bootable disk to wipe a hard drive without booting into Windows.
100% SecureNow follow the instructions below to wipe a BitLocker-encrypted laptop without password using AOMEI Backupper:
1. Download and install AOMEI Backupper on another computer that can boot successfully. Then launch AOMEI Backupper, click Tools > Create Bootable Media and follow the wizard to create a bootable USB.
2. Insert the bootable USB into the laptop you want to wipe and boot the laptop from it.
3. AOMEI Backupper will load up automatically once your computer boots up. Click Tools and choose Disk Wipe.
4. When asked to select the wiping type, select Wipe Disk and click Next.
5. In the next window, select the BitLocker drive you wish to wipe and click Next.
6. Choose a desired wiping method and click Start to begin disk erasing. Balancing data security and the wiping speed, Fill sectors with random data and DoD 5220.22-M are recommended.
Note: Your laptop will become completely empty after wiping, even without an OS. To reuse your laptop, you can restore system from a system image created before or clean install Windows using the installation media.
Summary
In this article, we guide you through the process of how to wipe a laptop with BitLocker with/without password. Whether you're preparing your laptop for resale or simply want to clear all personal information, this guide provides a step-by-step approach to ensure your laptop is wiped clean, with no data left behind.
Besides disk wipe, there are many other useful features built in AOMEI Backupper, such as backup, restore, clone and sync. Try it now to discover more!
