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BitLocker File Attributes?

Anonymous
2021-12-07T17:14:45+00:00

I have a problem with my Win 10 PC which I think is related to the behaviour of Bitlocker, which is setting the file attribute to P (free file). When I copy files from Bitlocker, the P attribute is still present. This causes problems with OneDrive because it uses P for fixed. Here's what I did.

Create a test file on the desktop using Text Document - File Properties = A

Copy the file directly to C:\OneDrive - file attribute = AL (I can then use "release space" to delete the file from my OneDrive folder. (For cloud-only files, File Properties = ALOM)

Copy the test file from the desktop to my X: drive running BitLocker - File Properties = AP (BitLocker has added P)

Copy files from the X: drive to C:\OneDrive - file attribute = ALP (this shows up as "Keep on machine" and I can't delete them using Free Space or SmartSync unless I do this file by file) (unless I do this file by file)

Is this normal for BitLocker? Should I reinstall the BitLocker application? Note that I have run the sfc and DISM scans and they are back to normal.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-12-08T10:04:29+00:00

    Good day,

    Thanks for your post in Microsoft Community.

    BitLocker, as a feature to encrypt disk through NTFS, do not encrypt folders or documents.

    I'm sorry that I can't fully understand set file attributes to P as your description.

    Could you please explain more details or upload a screenshot for us to offer better help?

    Please erase personal information in the screenshot.

    Best Regards

    Silvia | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-12-08T17:59:42+00:00

    Screenshots are presented below. Please let me know if this is more clear as to the problem I'm having. Thanks.

    Step 1: Create a test file on the desktop using Text Document - File Attributes = A

    Step 2: Copy the file directly to C:\OneDrive\Documents - File attributes = AL. Note that status is showing as local and I can use "Free Up Space" to delete the file from my OneDrive folder but retain it in the cloud.

    Step 3: Copy the test file from the desktop to X:\Pictures which is running BitLocker - File attributes = AP (in copying from my C: drive that is not encrypted to my X: drive that is encrypted the P attribute was set)

    Step 4: Copy the test file from X:\Pictures to C:\OneDrive\Documents - File attributes = ALP. Note that the status is showing as "keep on machine" and that "Free Up Space" will not work at the parent directory. To remove this file using free up space I need to highlight the file.

    So, my question is why is BitLocker adding the P attribute to the file which is then telling OneDrive to keep the file on my machine?

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-12-31T21:27:07+00:00

    Any update? I posted the info you requested 3 weeks ago.

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