manage-bde -pause

• Applies to:

  ✅ Windows Server 2025, ✅ Windows Server 2022, ✅ Windows Server 2019, ✅ Windows Server 2016, ✅ Windows 11, ✅ Windows 10, ✅ Azure Local, versions 23H2 and 22H2

Pauses BitLocker encryption or decryption.

Syntax

manage-bde -pause [<volume>] [-computername <name>] [{-?|/?}] [{-help|-h}]

Parameters

Parameter	Description
<volume>	Specifies a drive letter followed by a colon, a volume GUID path, or a mounted volume.
-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

To pause BitLocker encryption on drive C, type:

manage-bde -pause C:

Related links

• Command-Line Syntax Key

• manage-bde on command

• manage-bde off command

• manage-bde resume command

• manage-bde command