Updated Decryption Process for Student Devices (Old System)

This article applies to OUHSC students who were admitted prior to Spring 2021 and have not decrypted their personal machines. At the time, the HSC Service Desk performed laptop encryption on behalf of students.

If you had/have a Mac, the Service Desk would have turned on Filevault (the built-in encryption software for your Mac) and then installed Dell Security/Encryption Suite to monitor and ensure FileVault stays on. If you have/had Windows, the Service Desk would have turned on Bitlocker (the built-in encryption software for your Windows PC) and then installed Dell Security/Encryption Suite to monitor and ensure Bitlocker stays on.

You may have been asked to call or visit the Service Desk to have your laptop decrypted. If you are one of these students, it is no longer necessary to call or visit the Service Desk because you now have the ability to decrypt your laptop without additional assistance. If you have a Mac, all you need to do is turn off Filevault and uninstall Dell Security Suite. If you have a Windows PC, all you need to do is turn off Bitlocker and uninstall Dell Security Suite. 

This guide explains how to turn off either Filevault (for Macs) or Bitlocker (for Windows) and then uninstall the Dell Security/Encryption Suite. Doing these two steps will complete decryption. 

 

Macs

Step 1: Turn off Filevault 

  1. Go to System Preferences.
  2. Go to Privacy and Security.
  3. Click on the FileVault tab.
  4. In the lower left corner, click on the lock; put in your Mac password.
  5. Once FileVault is unlocked, click on the button, "Turn OFF FileVault..." (You might have to put in your password again).
  6. At the verification window, click the "Turn Off Encryption" button.


Step 2: Uninstall Dell Encryption Suite

 

Windows (PCs)

Step 1: Turn off Bitlocker

  1. Click on your Start Menu icon and search for Bitlocker. Select the top search result Manage Bitlocker.
  2. Once the Manage Bitlocker control panel is up, select the Turn off Bitlocker option. A new window will open prompting you to confirm Turn off Bitlocker.
  3. Now, you can click on the up arrow (lower right corner) to show your hidden system icons. Click on the Bitlocker icon to show the progress of your computer's decryption.
  4. Depending on the size of your hard drive, it can take up to 4+ hours to decrypt. Make sure your computer is connected to a power outlet.

 

Step 2: Uninstall Dell Encryption Suite

 

Decryption is complete.

Print Article