What is BitLocker?
BitLocker is a Windows security feature that encrypts a hard drive to protect data from unauthorized access. It is there to protect the information on your Windows device.
BitLocker device encryption enabled on Windows 11
Microsoft is making BitLocker device encryption a default feature in its next major update to Windows 11, 24H2
Why am I seeing the BitLocker recovery screen?
If you see the BitLocker Recovery screen during startup on a Windows 11 device, it means Windows detected a security risk or hardware change. Microsoft requires you to supply the BitLocker recovery key to get past this screen.
Can I get past without my BitLocker recovery key?
There is no way to bypass this screen without your BitLocker recovery key once it pops up.
How do I retrieve the BitLocker recovery key?
The easiest way to find the key is to to log into the Microsoft account associated with the device to retrieve the BitLocker recovery key.
If the BitLocker recovery key is backed up to your Microsoft account, follow these steps to retrieve it:
- From another device, open a web browser and go to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey
- Sign in with your Microsoft account and locate the key ID:
- Use the related recovery key to unlock the drive
Notes:
- If the device was set up, or if BitLocker was turned on, by somebody else, the recovery key might be stored in that person’s Microsoft account.
- Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, the BitLocker recovery screen shows a hint of the Microsoft account associated with the recovery key.
Can the student help desk retrieve the key for me?
You must retrieve the key from the Microsoft account associated with the device.
Additional information
You can retrieve your BitLocker recovery key online by signing into your Microsoft account and going to the Microsoft recovery key page:
Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey
Sign in to your Microsoft account
Select the Devices tab
Select the Windows device you own
Select View BitLocker Keys
If you can't find your recovery key in your Microsoft account, you can try these steps:
Check with the person who set up your computer
If someone else set up your computer or activated BitLocker, the recovery key might be in their Microsoft account.
Check for a printout
You might have printed your recovery key or saved it as a PDF file when you first activated BitLocker.
Check for a USB flash drive
If you saved your key to a USB flash drive, you can plug the flash drive into your locked PC and follow the instructions.
What if I don't have my BitLocker recovery key?
If you lose your recovery key, you can reinstall Windows to return your computer to operation, but this will result in the loss of all data and configurations on the encrypted hard drive.
Please Note:
If you reinstall Windows without the recovery key, you will lose all information stored on the encrypted drive. Student Tech support is not able to assist with a reinstall of Windows. Please contact the retailer or individual where you purchased the computer or your local computer repair shop.
References:
Find your BitLocker recovery key
Windows 11 24H2 will enable BitLocker encryption for everyone — happens on both clean installs and reinstalls
Clean installs of Windows 11 version 24H2 now have BitLocker device encryption enabled.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220138/microsoft-bitlocker-device-encryption-windows-11-default
Device Encryption Windows 11 Home 24H2
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/device-encryption-windows-11-home-24h2.25287/