So I have a Seagate 1TB portable HDD, and I'm running Windows 8.1 64-bit on a Toshiba notebook.

Plugged in my external today to access it after a few weeks of not using it anywhere but on flatmate's TV.  Get a message saying that it is locked by BitLocker and that I need a 48-digit key to decrypt it.

I have never heard of BitLocker in my life, and I don't have it installed on my computer.

Can someone explain to me what on earth has happened and how I fix it without losing all my data????

(Side-note: my flatmate has the exact same external hdd as mine, and it appears to be doing the same thing when I plug it into my computer.  When I plug either device into hers, they don't seem to be recognised at all)

Please help!!!

• Moved by Michael ShaoMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator 4 hours 55 minutes ago

Hi stinaaaah,

Regarding Bitlocker, if you haven't enable it on the external hard drive, it won't lock the drive automatically.

Please take use of the command below to check the bitlocker status of your external hard drive open CMD with Admin rights:

manage-bde -status (You driver letter)

For more information regarding Bitlocker, you may check:

BitLocker: Use BitLocker Drive Encryption Tools to manage BitLocker

Manage-bde

Further, you may also seek help at the Seagate side, see if they could offer any further assistance.

Best regards