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Word Wiz
Asked: 2024-10-14 19:38:26 +0800 CST

Windows data drive is not opening in Kubuntu dual boot

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I'm just getting started with Linux, and decided to dual boot Kubuntu 24.04 with my Windows 11 laptop. I am entirely unable to access any data on my D Drive via Kubuntu, while Windows is working perfectly fine. There don't seem to be any other issues with Kubuntu either.

In Dolphin I can work with the Kubuntu partition just fine, but the D drive (where all my data is stored) is not visible. The Windows system files are in C drive which I am not trying to touch at all. I know I should mount the partition into Kubuntu, but the instructions I found just say that it will be there on the left pane of the file manager (Dolphin) which is not the case for me.

In Dolphin, under the devices heading on the left pane, are two Basic data partitions which I assume are the C and D drives, but they are not opening. I get a window asking for a password which I don't know where to find. I tried entering my user's password, but that didn't work.

Some things I tried:

  • Disabling Hibernate and Fast Startup in Windows
  • chkdsk in Windows

I have a 1TB SSD running Windows 11

When I run lsblk -o NAME,FSTYPE,SIZE,MOUNTPOINT,LABEL it's showing two drives with FSTYPE as BitLocker and no mount point. Is that the issue? I have Windows Home which doesn't have Bitlocker, so why is it showing this?

If I check filetype in Windows, the D drive shows NTFS.

dual-boot

2 Answers

  1. According to this Microsoft Community post, Bitlocker is available and enabled by default starting from Windows 11 24H2, even for the Home Edition. I have observed the same on a recent laptop.

    You might consider creating a second non-encrypted ExFAT or NTFS partition using the windows drive partitioning tool in the "Computer Management" console (not sure if that is available on Home) or the command-line program diskpart. However, you would have to shrink the original partition and file system first.

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  2. Best Answer

    Turns out that what I have isn't BitLocker proper, but Device Encryption, which isn't there in older windows laptops. It can be disabled pretty easily from: Settings > Privacy and Security > Device Encryption.

    This also decrypts the drive, resolving the issue!

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