How to solve 'BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows'?

Updated by Tim to BitLocker Recovery on March 2nd, 2021

I have two BitLocker encrypted partitions. One is OK and the other at opening gives me the error message: BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows, try opening the drive using a newer version of Windows. Now I have Windows 10 Professional. What can I do?

BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows

Solutions for 'BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows'

There are four solutions to solve 'BitLocker encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows' issue.

Solution 1: Check the connection

Safely eject the BitLocker encrypted drive from your computer, re-attach it into a different USB port and see if the 'BitLocker encryption isn't compatible' issue will be resolved.

Solution 2: Update firmware and BIOS

This solution requires you to update the firmware and BIOS on your Windows computer and see if the BitLocker encryption isn't compatible issue will be resolved.

Solution 3: Try another Windows

Windows 10 uses XTS-AES encryption algorithm, while old Windows 7/8 uses AES encryption algorithm. If the drive is encrypted by BitLocker on a Windows 7 or 8 computer, this BitLocker encrypted drive cannot be read on Windows 10 computer. In this case, you need to try it on another Windows 7 or 8 computer.

The new XTS-AES encryption algorithm is not compatible with old Windows version. If the drive is encrypted by BitLocker on Windows 10 computer and chose 'New encryption mode', this BitLocker encrypted drive cannot be read on Windows 7/8 computer. In that case, you need to try it on another Windows 10 computer.

Solution 4: BitLocker data recovery

iBoysoft BitLocker Recovery is a professional BitLocker data recovery software which can recover lost data from formatted, corrupted, inaccessible, failed BitLocker encrypted drive, recover lost data after BitLocker encryption/decryption stuck, interrupted, hung, failed, suspended, frozen as long as you have the password or 48-digit BitLocker recovery key. iBoysoft BitLocker Recovery supports both AES and XTS-AES encryption algorithms.

Tutorial to recover data from BitLocker encrypted drive with iBoysoft BitLocker Recovery

Step 1: Download, install and launch iBoysoft BitLocker Recovery on your computer.

Step 2: Select the inaccessible BitLocker encrypted drive and then click Next to continue.

Step 3: Enter the password or 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.

Decrypt data from BitLocker encrypted drive

Step 4: Scan the lost data from inaccessible BitLocker encrypted drive.

Scan data from BitLocker encrypted drive

Step 5: After your files are found, please select them and click "Recover" to save.

Recover lost data from BitLocker encrypted drive