BitLocker missing in Windows 8.1 Pro

1

This is a TPM-free laptop dual booting to Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Pro. BitLocker was turned on in Windows 8 Pro (before upgrading to 8.1) via group policy.

Everything was fine initially, but some time later (I don’t remember exactly when, but it should be before upgrading to Windows 8.1), I noticed that, in Windows 8 or 8.1,

  • the BitLocker overlay icons were gone;
  • BitLocker commands were missing in context menus;
  • the BitLocker icon no longer appears in Control Panel; and
  • while “Manage BitLocker” still appears in “Search” (Windows–Q) results, nothing appears when I open it (same with Control /name Microsoft.BitLockerDriveEncryption).

Meanwhile everything is fine in Windows 7 Pro.

I’ve checked shell integration (places like HKCR\Drive\shell\manage-bde, etc.) and found no problem; I can still use manage-bde and bdeunlock; and I still get the toast message after an encrypted volume is mounted (at least before the SD card reader gave up).

I’ve also looked at event logs and found no anomalies.

If anyone has any idea what is going on please, please tell me.

ȷ̇c

Posted 2014-03-15T11:26:05.350

Reputation: 154

You used the Windows Store to perform this upgrade? You have all released patches for Windows 8.1 installed? – Ramhound – 2014-03-15T11:51:01.120

Yes; yes. @Ramhound – ȷ̇c – 2014-03-15T11:53:25.220

Answers

1

The issue was resolved after the Shell Hardware Detection service was enabled.

ȷ̇c

Posted 2014-03-15T11:26:05.350

Reputation: 154