Bit Locker Recovery Key Requested at Boot Time

Anonymous
2013-11-05T08:14:46+00:00

Hi,

At the weekend our two Surface 2 devices got a firmware update installed. My Surface 2 updated and rebooted fine with no issues.

But my wife's Surface 2 (64GB model) asked for the Bitlocker Recovery key at boot after the update, and now every time it reboots. Although I have the key this is very poor end user experience.

Especially as I am trying to sell her the Surface 2 over an iPad.

Any assistance in this would be most welcome.

Kind Regards,

Andrew

Surface | Other

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Anonymous
2014-01-06T19:58:11+00:00

Hi,

Microsoft released an update for this today, for Surface 2 devices, as reflected in KB article 2921482.  Please check for Windows updates and install the latest updates.

Here's how to check for updates manually:

Step 1: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.)

Step 2: Tap or click Change PC settings, tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Windows Update. 

Step 3: Tap or click Check now. 

Step 4: If there are updates available, tap or click View details. 

Step 5: Tap or click to select the ones you want to install, and then tap or click Install.  You may need to restart Surface after the updates have been installed. 

Thanks!

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T00:20:16+00:00

    BitLocker is enabled by default SS it should be... see my previous post for complete solution... activate windows from the settings/PC information charms menu

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T00:12:54+00:00

    Hi,

    At the weekend our two Surface 2 devices got a firmware update installed. My Surface 2 updated and rebooted fine with no issues.

    But my wife's Surface 2 (64GB model) asked for the Bitlocker Recovery key at boot after the update, and now every time it reboots. Although I have the key this is very poor end user experience.

    Especially as I am trying to sell her the Surface 2 over an iPad.

    Any assistance in this would be most welcome.

    Kind Regards,

    Andrew

    Greetings everyone.

    I had the same issue with my 64GB Surface 2.  It instantly made me wonder what I did the last time I used it... Which was update it, though it required a power adapter... I removed the power source to plug my second surface in and proceeded to use it...   Maybe it was the update or maybe it was me... regardless, I fixed it in five minutes after I found it dead this morning...  Which I am typing on now.

    Here is the solution... 

    First, if not already done, get your "recovery key" from your Microsoft account.  Enter it to boot your surface.

    After entering the recovery key, you all need to activate windows.  This can be done by swiping from the right to bring up the charms menu to go to settings.  Go to "Change PC Settings".  At the top of list will be "Activate" windows.  Make sure you have an internet connection.  It may also complain that it did not complete successfully, but the activation success prompt will then appear.  If not, try again and it will

    ------ Solution Above... Rambling Below---

    In defense of BitLocker.  I am no way an affiliate of Microsoft, though I have technology service and solutions business.  BitLocker is a tool that encrypts all data on your hard drive.  It is too bat that an update did this to you all as well as me.  However, there is a quick any fix.  I would rather have this than not, especially after one of my previous surface tablets was stolen.  My ultrabook is also protected by BitLocker, but this error did not happen to it.  Surface devices need to be encrypted as many of us will potentially perform more actions with sensitive information than other tablets.  In thru past, PCs have been too easy infiltrate.  So, you all are unconvinced by your ignorance of this process... not your fault, as you are here looking for help :).

    When issues do arise, it may not always be the computer... it may be the user.  But to remove doubt of the user, examine your las steps and try to recreate the issue.  Also, search for the solution... this issue, though not user error, could have been resolved by looking in the settings/PC information.  Also, by Microsoft implementing an auto activate... 

    UPDATE!!!!

    It happened to me again after the update.  So, the above solution as many people figured out is not s solution.  Please read page 5 as there is more information and observation on the problem from me and others related to power and updates causing the problem.  Now. This is only the second time it happened to me and I reboot it regularly... I do recommend not letting the surface battery die.  If you are that low on power, shut it down vs letting it shutdown.  There is a problem with the system shutting itself down and the BitLocker boot key being lot/corrupted..  this is why we have to reenter it. 

    It is not windows but more the secure boot/(secure ?bios?) TPM environment and BitLocker key being lost... hopefully we will have a real solution to the problem in the future, until then it is a game of avoid the error.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-17T21:43:08+00:00

    I just had the same issue.  I've already returned one Surface, due to a frozen screen every time I used Explorer for a few minutes (not what you want to have happen in the middle of a meeting).  And now this?  I'm kind of over it.  Might be time to return it and look for another option.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-16T19:59:44+00:00

    My RT did this as well.  I had to input the recovery key twice in order to get it to finally boot fully.  I never enabled BL.

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