How to Unlock Drive using the Bitlocker Recovery Key - Microsoft Q&A (2024)

FAQs

How do I unlock a drive with BitLocker recovery key? ›

Open File Explorer, and right-click the BitLocker encrypted drive, and then click Unlock Drive. If you do not remember your Windows BitLocker password, click More Options, and then click Enter recovery key. Enter the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the drive. The recovery key is created when BitLocker is first set up.

Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings 2. Press Restart 3. Skip the first Bitlocker recovery key prompt by pressing Esc 4. Skip the second Bitlocker recovery key prompt by selecting Skip This Drive in the bottom right 5.

I understand you are encountering a BitLocker recovery key prompt after updating your BIOS, it generally means that the system's security configuration changed, prompting BitLocker to require the recovery key to ensure the system hasn't been tampered with.

If your system is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, there are several places that your recovery key may be located, depending on the choice that was made when activating BitLocker. If you saved the key to your Microsoft account, you can access it by going to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey.

If you are unable to locate a required BitLocker recovery key and are unable to revert a configuration change that might have caused it to be required, you must reset your device using one of the Windows 10 recovery options.

Click "Manage Devices" under "Devices" on the My Account screen. Select a device from the list of devices and click "∨". The 48-digit number under the password is the BitLocker recovery key, so write it down in a memo or save it in another way.

If you don't have the BitLocker password and recovery key, you may need to format the drive to remove the encryption, or use the third-party tools, such as Passware Kit, Elcomsoft Forensic Disk Decryptor, and Elcomsoft Distributed Password Recovery.

If you do not have the BitLocker password and recovery key, you need to format the encrypted drive to remove the encryption or turn to third-party tools, such as Passware Kit, Elcomsoft Forensic Disk Decryptor, or Elcomsoft Distributed Password Recovery. EaseUS will provide detailed guides on how.

What triggers BitLocker recovery key? ›

If you start BitLocker recovery on a keyboardless device with TPM-only protection, Windows RE, not the boot manager, will ask for the BitLocker recovery key. After you enter the key, you can access Windows RE troubleshooting tools or start Windows normally.

The easiest way to bypass the BitLocker recovery screen is to enter the correct recovery key. Most users save their recovery keys in their USB drives. Thus, we also suggest you check your USB drive and check whether you can bypass the screen. If you can't find the BitLocker recovery key, contact your administrator.

If you are unable to locate a required BitLocker recovery key and are unable to revert a configuration change that might have caused it to be required, you must reset your device using one of the Windows 10 recovery options. Resetting your device removes all your files.

Go to the Microsoft "Bitlocker Recovery Key" site. http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=237614 When you sign in with your personal Microsoft account, the Bitlocker Recovery Key screen appears. Keep that recovery key (a 48 digit number), for example, by writing it down on a note.