Microsoft bitlocker recovery key

Author: g | 2025-04-23

What is a BitLocker recovery key? BitLocker recovery key (or Microsoft recovery key) is generated when a drive is encrypted using BitLocker. The recovery key can be used to

Is there a default recovery key for BitLocker? - Microsoft

How to fix bitlocker recovery key windows 11BitLocker is a great way to keep your data safe, but sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you’re locked out and need to fix the BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11. This guide will walk you through the steps to retrieve or reset your BitLocker recovery key, ensuring that you can regain access to your encrypted data without too much hassle.Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Fix BitLocker Recovery Key Windows 11In this section, we’ll cover the essential steps to recover or reset your BitLocker recovery key on a Windows 11 machine. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be back in your system in no time.Step 1: Check Microsoft AccountThe first place to look for your BitLocker recovery key is your Microsoft account.If you have previously linked your Windows 11 device to a Microsoft account, your recovery key may be stored there. Go to the Microsoft account website, log in, and check under the Devices section.Step 2: Look for a PrintoutIf you have printed out your BitLocker recovery key, now is the time to find that printout.Search through your physical files or wherever you store important documents. Many users print out their recovery keys during the setup process, so it might be hidden in your paperwork.Step 3: Check USB DriveInsert any USB drives you might have used to save the BitLocker recovery key.When setting up BitLocker, you might have saved the recovery key to a USB flash drive. Plug in any USB drives you own and check for a text file containing the key.Step 4: Check Your Azure AD AccountIf your device is part of an organization, your recovery key might be stored in your Azure AD account.Log into your Azure AD account and navigate to the Devices section. Here, you may find the BitLocker recovery key listed for your device.Step 5: Contact IT SupportIf all else fails, reach out to your IT support or system administrator.For work or school devices, the IT department may have a copy of your BitLocker recovery key. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.Once you’ve completed these steps, you should be able to locate your BitLocker recovery key and unlock your encrypted drive. Tips for Fixing BitLocker Recovery Key Windows 11Always back up your recovery key in multiple locations like a USB drive, a printout, and your Microsoft account.Consider setting up a password manager that securely stores your BitLocker recovery key.Keep a record of where you’ve stored your recovery key for easy access when needed.Regularly update your recovery key storage methods to ensure they remain accessible over time.If you’re part of an organization, stay in touch with IT support for any BitLocker-related issues.Frequently Asked Questions about Fixing BitLocker Recovery Key Windows 11What should I do if I can’t find my BitLocker recovery key?First, check your Microsoft account, USB drives, and any printed copies. If you still can’t find it, contact your IT support for assistance.Can I disable BitLocker without a recovery key?No, you cannot disable BitLocker without Summary: This article highlights the whereabouts of the BitLocker recovery key to spot it with reachable ways such as a Microsoft account, and recovery key ID. BitLocker Data Recovery Agent also helps differently.Stuck at the BitLocker recovery screen and can't find your key? Don't worry—this guide will walk you through the exact places to check, so you can quickly regain access to your files without the frustration. Let's dive into the details to locate BitLocker recovery key. The methods mentioned apply to all kinds of devices including Office 365 and Lenovo which are focused by many. Where is the BitLocker recovery key stored?BitLocker recovery keys can be stored in several locations, depending on how your system was set up. In case you lose the key, it is suggested to refer to how to recover the BitLocker key. Here are some common places where you might find your BitLocker recovery key: Microsoft account: If you linked BitLocker to your Microsoft account, you can find the recovery key by logging in to your account at document: When setting up BitLocker, you may have chosen to print the recovery key. Check your printed documents or files where you might have saved this printout.USB drive: The recovery key could have been saved to a USB flash drive. Insert the USB drive into your computer and view the contents to locate a text file containing the key.Another computer or network location: If you saved the recovery key to a network location or another computer, access that location to retrieve it.Active Directory (AD) or Azure Active Directory (AAD): If you're using BitLocker in a corporate environment, the recovery key might be stored in Active Directory or Azure Active Directory. Contact your IT administrator for assistance. Tips: Contact IT department support, they might have a copy of your recovery key after gaining your BitLocker recovery key ID.Share this expertise and practice it to spot your recovery key.How to get BitLocker recovery key with key IDThe Recovery Key ID is important because it helps identify the correct recovery key among potentially several keys associated with your Microsoft account

BitLocker with no recovery key - Microsoft Community

Can also create a custom role, delegating access to BitLocker keys using the microsoft.directory/bitlockerKeys/key/read permission. Roles can be delegated to access BitLocker recovery passwords for devices in specific Administrative Units.NoteWhen devices that utilize Windows Autopilot are reused to join to Entra, and there is a new device owner, that new device owner must contact an administrator to acquire the BitLocker recovery key for that device. Custom role or administrative unit scoped administrators will continue to have access to BitLocker recovery keys for those devices that have undergone device ownership changes, unless the new device owner belongs to a custom role or adminstrative unit scope. In such an instance, the user will need to contact other scoped administrator for the recovery keys. For more information, see the article Find the primary user of an Intune device.The Microsoft Entra admin center allows administrators to retrieve BitLocker recovery passwords. To learn more about the process, see View or copy BitLocker keys. Another option to access BitLocker recovery passwords is to use the Microsoft Graph API, which might be useful for integrated or scripted solutions. For more information about this option, see Get bitlockerRecoveryKey.In the following example, we use Microsoft Graph PowerShell cmdlet Get-MgInformationProtectionBitlockerRecoveryKey to build a PowerShell function that retrieves recovery passwords from Microsoft Entra ID:function Get-EntraBitLockerKeys{ [CmdletBinding()] param ( [Parameter(Mandatory = $true, HelpMessage = "Device name to retrieve the BitLocker keys from Microsoft Entra ID")] [string]$DeviceName ) $DeviceID = (Get-MGDevice -filter "displayName eq '$DeviceName'").DeviceId if ($DeviceID){ $KeyIds = (Get-MgInformationProtectionBitlockerRecoveryKey -Filter "deviceId eq '$DeviceId'").Id if ($keyIds) { Write-Host -ForegroundColor Yellow "Device name: $devicename" foreach ($keyId in $keyIds) { $recoveryKey = (Get-MgInformationProtectionBitlockerRecoveryKey -BitlockerRecoveryKeyId $keyId -Select "key").key Write-Host -ForegroundColor White " Key id: $keyid" Write-Host -ForegroundColor Cyan " BitLocker recovery key: $recoveryKey" } } else { Write-Host -ForegroundColor Red "No BitLocker recovery keys found for device $DeviceName" } } else { Write-Host -ForegroundColor Red "Device $DeviceName not found" }}Install-Module Microsoft.Graph.Identity.SignIns -Scope CurrentUser -ForceImport-Module Microsoft.Graph.Identity.SignInsConnect-MgGraph -Scopes 'BitlockerKey.Read.All' -NoWelcomeAfter the function is loaded, it can be used to retrieve BitLocker recovery passwords for a specific device. Example:PS C:\> Get-EntraBitLockerKeys -DeviceName DESKTOP-53O32QIDevice name: DESKTOP-53O32QI Key id: 4290b6c0-b17a-497a-8552-272cc30e80d4 BitLocker recovery key: 496298-461032-321464-595518-463221-173943-033616-139579 Key id: 045219ec-a53b-41ae-b310-08ec883aaedd BitLocker recovery key: 158422-038236-492536-574783-256300-205084-114356-069773NoteFor devices that are managed by Microsoft Intune, BitLocker recovery passwords can be retrieved from the device properties in the Microsoft Intune admin center. For more information, see View details for recovery keys.Helpdesk recovery in Active Directory Domain ServicesTo export a recovery password from AD DS, you must have read access to objects stored in AD DS. By default, only Domain Administrators have access to BitLocker recovery information, but access can be delegated to specific security principals.To facilitate the retrieval of BitLocker recovery passwords from AD DS, you can use the BitLocker Recovery Password Viewer tool. The tool is included with the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), and it's an extension for the Active Directory Users and Computers Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.With BitLocker Recovery Password Viewer you can:Check the Active Directory computer object's properties to retrieve the associated BitLocker recovery. What is a BitLocker recovery key? BitLocker recovery key (or Microsoft recovery key) is generated when a drive is encrypted using BitLocker. The recovery key can be used to

Bitlocker recovery key - Microsoft Community

Instructions Note: This article applies to devices that are not domain-joined. If you use login credentials from work or school, contact the help desk of your organization for assistance in obtaining the BitLocker recovery key.) For more information, go to Microsoft’s YouTube video "How to find your BitLocker recovery key." Accessing the Microsoft Account recovery keys Open a web browser and go to . Click Sign in and then enter the email address of your MSA. Scroll down to Devices and then click View details for the device requesting the recovery key. Figure 1: Microsoft account desktop view Figure 2: Microsoft account mobile device view Click Manage recovery keys. Figure 3: Device Details and Manage recovery keys option Note: Microsoft again asks you to log in to your MSA. Follow the prompts to log in. Selecting the Recovery Key: The BitLocker Recovery screen shows you which recovery key is required. Figure 4: BitLocker Recovery screen This is important when you have multiple computers or your computer has multiple encrypted drives. Reference the Key ID from the BitLocker recovery event screen (Figure 4) to locate the appropriate recovery key. Figure 5: BitLocker Recovery keys Note: Depending on the drive configuration, a computer can show multiple drives if the user chooses to encrypt additional drives. OSV = Operating System Volume FDV = Fixed Disk Volume (secondary disk drive) RDV = Removable Disk Volume (USB Key) Enter the recovery key from Figure 5 and then press Enter. The computer continues booting to the Windows desktop. Figure 6: BitLocker Recovery screen with recovery key Additional Information Summary: This article maps out how to retrieve the BitLocker key through various feasible ways such as your cloud storage account or Command Prompt. Plus, iBoysoft Data Recovery can recover your BitLocker-related files.In general, when people refer to the "BitLocker key," they usually mean the BitLocker recovery key. This recovery key is a 48-digit numeric password generated during the BitLocker encryption and used to unlock the encrypted drive if you can't access it using the standard BitLocker password.However, if you've lost access to your BitLocker-protected drive, recovering the BitLocker key becomes essential. In this guide, we'll explore various methods to retrieve BitLocker key such as Active Directory, and introduce you to powerful tools like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Windows that can assist you in safeguarding your data.Is it possible to unlock Bitlocker without a key?We should know the importance of the BitLocker key beforehand. Unlocking BitLocker-encrypted data without the recovery key or password is generally not feasible, without the BitLocker key, the BitLocker password will do. Unfortunately, if the recovery key or password is lost, it is typically not possible to access the encrypted data due to the strength of BitLocker's encryption even if you recover all your BitLocker-encrypted data.Methods to recover your BitLocker keyIf you lost BitLocker recovery key, let's see the BitLocker key recovery channels:1. Look for a backupIf you've backed up your Windows system to an external drive or network location, the recovery key might be included in the backup. Connect to the backup location and browse through the backup files, particularly in folders named after your device or related to security. Besides, during the setup of BitLocker, you might have been prompted to save or print the recovery key.2. Check your Microsoft accountIf you enabled BitLocker and linked it to your Microsoft account, your recovery key might be stored there. Firstly log into your Microsoft account on another device or use another accessible drive. Then navigate to the Devices page, and find the device linked to your BitLocker key, and select "View details" to retrieve the key.3. Check Azure Active Directory (AAD)If your device is connected to Azure AD, the recovery key might be saved there. Go to and sign in with your Azure AD credentials. Go to Azure Active Directory > Devices > All Devices. Find and select the device you're interested in. In the device details, select BitLocker keys to view and retrieve the recovery key.4. Check with Intune To access Intune, go to and sign in with your Azure AD credentials. Select Devices > All devices. Find and select the specific device you need. In the device details, click on Recovery keys to view and retrieve the BitLocker recovery key.Share this and acquire the mastery of retrieving the BitLocker key.5. Check other cloud storage accountsIf you opted to save your recovery key to a different cloud service, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, you should search your files there. Tips: Search using keywords like “BitLocker” or “Recovery Key” to locate the file

Bitlocker recovery key - Microsoft Q A

ข้ามไปยังเนื้อหาหลัก เบราว์เซอร์นี้ไม่ได้รับการสนับสนุนอีกต่อไป อัปเกรดเป็น Microsoft Edge เพื่อใช้ประโยชน์จากคุณลักษณะล่าสุด เช่น การอัปเดตความปลอดภัยและการสนับสนุนด้านเทคนิค BitLocker recovery process บทความ02/11/2025 นำไปใช้กับ: ✅ Windows 11, ✅ Windows 10, ✅ Windows Server 2025, ✅ Windows Server 2022, ✅ Windows Server 2019, ✅ Windows Server 2016 ในบทความนี้ -->If a device or drive fails to unlock using the configured BitLocker mechanism, users may be able to self-recover it. If self-recovery isn't an option, or the user is unsure how to proceed, the helpdesk should have procedures in place to retrieve recovery information quickly and securely.This article outlines the process of obtaining BitLocker recovery information for Microsoft Entra joined, Microsoft Entra hybrid joined, and Active Directory joined devices. It's assumed that the reader is already familiar with configuring devices to automatically back up BitLocker recovery information, and the available BitLocker recovery options. For more information, see the BitLocker recovery overview article.Self-recoveryThe BitLocker recovery password and recovery key for an operating system drive or a fixed data drive can be saved to one or more USB devices, printed, saved to Microsoft Entra ID or AD DS.TipSaving BitLocker recovery keys to Microsoft Entra ID or AD DS is a recommended approach. That way, a BitLocker administrator or helpdesk can assist users in attaining their keys.If self-recovery includes using a password or recovery key stored on a USB flash drive, the users must be warned not to store the USB flash drive in the same place as the device, especially during travel. For example, if both the device and the recovery items are in the same bag, it would be easy for an unauthorized user to access the device. Another policy to consider is having users contact the helpdesk before or after performing self-recovery so that the root cause can be identified.A recovery key can't be stored in any of the following locations:The drive being encryptedThe root directory of a nonremovable driveAn encrypted volumeWarningA recovery key is sensitive information that allows users to unlock an encrypted drive and perform administrative tasks on the drive. For enhanced security, it's recommended to enable self-service in trusted environments only, or rely on helpdesk recovery.Self-recovery with recovery passwordIf you have access to the recovery key, enter the 48-digits in the preboot recovery screen.If you are having issues entering the recovery password in the preboot recovery screen, or you can no longer boot your device, you can connect the drive to another device as a secondary drive. For more information about the unlock process, see Unlock a driveIf unlocking with recovery password doesn't work you can use the BitLocker Repair tool to regain access yo your driveSelf-recovery in Microsoft Entra IDIf BitLocker recovery keys are stored in Microsoft Entra ID, users can access them using the following URL: From the Devices tab, users can select a Windows device that they own, and select the option View BitLocker Keys.NoteBy default, users can retrieve their BitLocker recovery keys from Microsoft Entra ID. This behavior can be modified with the option Restrict users from recovering the BitLocker key(s) for their owned devices. For more

Bitlocker Recovery Key - Microsoft Community

This recovery key is given to you when you first enable BitLocker.If you've saved the key in your Microsoft account or printed a copy, you can simply enter it to get back into your system. However, it's common to forget where the key is saved or to face issues when trying to access your system. Don’t worry—this section will show you several simple ways to regain access to your data.Solution 1: Check Your Microsoft Account for KeyWhen setting up BitLocker, many users choose to save their recovery key to their Microsoft account. If you do this, your recovery key will be stored in the Microsoft cloud. You can easily get it by logging into your Microsoft account. Here's how to find your BitLocker recovery key:Step 1: Visit the Microsoft website and sign in with your account.Step 2: Navigate to the Computer section and select Devices > View details.Step 3: Click on Manage recovery keys in the BitLocker Data Protection section.Step 4: Your recovery key details will be displayed on the interface. Enter it when prompted to access your encrypted drive.Solution 2: Search for the Key through File ExplorerAdditionally, you might have saved the recovery key as a file on your device. If that's the case, you can easily find it using File Explorer, even when you're offline. The file that holds the BitLocker recovery key is usually named BitLocker Recovery Key and is saved as a .txt or .bek file.Step 1: Open File Explorer.Step 2: Type BitLocker Recovery Key in the search bar and press Enter.Step 3: Find the desired file and open it. You can get the recovery key by viewing this file.Solution 3: Recover the BitLocker Recovery Key Using SoftwareIf the BitLocker recovery occurs but you can’t find your key, it may have been accidentally deleted. In this case, first check the Recycle Bin to see if it can be restored. However, this method doesn’t always work, especially if the key was permanently deleted or the Recycle Bin was emptied. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use data recovery software to try and recover the deleted file.We recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, a powerful and professional data recovery tool that can help recover files, even after they've been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin. With its advanced technology and user-friendly interface, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery makes the process of recovering lost or deleted data simple. What is a BitLocker recovery key? BitLocker recovery key (or Microsoft recovery key) is generated when a drive is encrypted using BitLocker. The recovery key can be used to What is a BitLocker recovery key? BitLocker recovery key (or Microsoft recovery key) is generated when a drive is encrypted using BitLocker. The recovery key can be used to

Bitlocker key recovery - Microsoft Community

Or other storage locations. To find the BitLocker Recovery Key ID, you can use several methods to find key ID:1. On the locked device:When BitLocker prompts you to enter the recovery key, the screen will display the Recovery Key ID. This ID is a 32-character alphanumeric string that you can use to locate the correct recovery key. Once you locate the matching Key ID, you can use the associated recovery key to unlock your drive by contacting the IT administrator.2 Access your Microsoft account: Go to Then compare the Key ID displayed in the BitLocker recovery prompt with the Key IDs listed in your Microsoft account to find the corresponding recovery key.3. Find BitLocker recovery key using PowerShell/Command Prompt:If you prefer using PowerShell or cmd to find your BitLocker recovery key, which is effective and advanced. You can log into the device and find the Recovery Key ID without triggering BitLocker through the following steps:Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).Type in the following command and press Enter (Replace C: with the appropriate drive letter if it's different):manage-bde -protectors -get C:Look for the Key Protector ID in the output, which is the Recovery Key ID.Share this article if you care for it.4. In the BitLocker Management Tool:Press Win + S, type "Manage BitLocker", and press Enter.In the BitLocker Drive Encryption window, expand the drive for which you want to see the recovery key.You should see the Recovery Key ID listed.BitLocker Data Recovery Agent (optional)A BitLocker Data Recovery Agent (DRA) is a special user account that can decrypt BitLocker-protected data on behalf of the user. This feature is primarily used in enterprise environments where centralized management of encryption and recovery is required.This is additional knowledge when you can't spot the BitLocker key. If a user loses their BitLocker recovery key or password, the IT department can use the DRA to decrypt the drive and recover the data. The DRA uses its private key to unlock the encrypted data. You can set it up by following moves:Generate a DRA certificate using the Certificate Authority (CA) in