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Manage-bde: changekey

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Modifies the startup key for an operating system drive. For examples of how this command can be used, see Examples.

Syntax

manage-bde -changekey [<Drive>] [<PathToExternalKeyDirectory>] [-computername <Name>] [{-?|/?}] [{-help|-h}]

Parameters

Parameter Description

<Drive>

Represents a drive letter followed by a colon.

<PathToExternalKeyDirectory>

Represents the directory location to save the external startup key file that can be used to unlock the drive.

-computername

Specifies that Manage-bde.exe will be used to modify BitLocker protection on a different computer. You can also use -cn as an abbreviated version of this command.

<Name>

Represents the name of the computer on which to modify BitLocker protection. Accepted values include the computer's NetBIOS name and the computer's IP address.

-? or /?

Displays brief Help at the command prompt.

-help or -h

Displays complete Help at the command prompt.

Examples

The following example illustrates using the -changekey command to create a new startup key on drive E to use with BitLocker encryption on drive C.

manage-bde –changekey C: E:\

Additional references