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How to Build a Partition for Dell BitLocker Manager / Dell Data Protection BitLocker Manager

Summary: A preboot authentication (PBA) partition may be created for Dell BitLocker Manager by following these instructions.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

This article provides steps to build a PBA partition for Dell BitLocker Manager (formerly Dell Data Protection BitLocker Manager).

Affected Products:

Dell BitLocker Manager
Dell Data Protection BitLocker Manager

Affected Operating Systems:

Windows

Cause

Not applicable.

Resolution

Dell BitLocker Manager requires a PBA partition to securely unlock the operating system. Select the appropriate section below for steps to Create or Validate a PBA partition has been created.

To create a PBA partition:

  1. Type CMD into the Windows search bar.

Accessing Command Prompt

  1. Right-click Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator.

Running Command Prompt as administrator

  1. Type BdeHdCfg -target default and then press Enter.

BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool

  1. Type Y and then press Enter.

Continue

  1. Type shutdown -r -t 0 and then press Enter to reboot the endpoint.

Shutdown

To validate a PBA partition is created:

  1. Right-click the Windows start menu and then click Run.

Run

  1. In Run, type diskmgmt.msc and then click OK.

Run UI

  1. Confirm that a new partition has been created.

Checking partitions

To contact support, reference Dell Data Security International Support Phone Numbers.
Go to TechDirect to generate a technical support request online.
For additional insights and resources, join the Dell Security Community Forum.

Affected Products

Dell Encryption
Article Properties
Article Number: 000131537
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2022
Version:  10
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