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HP updated BIOS which turned on BitLocker and locked and encrypted my drive. I never set up BitLocker so I don't have the key or a password. It is not saved in my Microsoft account since I never set it up. BestBuy set up my laptop and transferred files from my old computer last November but they don't have the key. They claim the manufacturers are turning it on when they're shipped. HP states they don't have the key. HP has also stated it's a known problem with HP Envy laptops but they don't have a fix or workaround. Microsoft wasn't any help either. They claimed HP should have the code and of course they state they don't. So far the only advice I've gotten is I'll have to reload a fresh Windows 10 and will lose all my data files, which I'm trying to avoid. I've looked in the registry editor and there are things there for BitLocker. I didn't want to make any changes w/o knowing what they might do but on the other hand it's a doorstop now so I'm not sure how I could make it worse. Anyone have any ideas how to get around this?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
This suggestion is only applicable if you actually created a Bitlocker recovery key. Many people did not do this. Hard drives from HP and Dell have Bitlocker activated by default if you choose to use the Microsoft account as the log in instead of creating a local account.
Good day!
When I shut down my HP Envy laptop today, it automatically did a BIOS update. After that, I also encountered the Bitlocker issue. It was asking for recovery keys that I thought I do not have.
I followed the specified instructions. I went to aka.ms/myrecoverykey. After logging in to Microsoft account, there's no Bitlocker recovery keys in there. I've read most of the comments here and I was in the brink of resetting my laptop even if I'd lose my data. Then, I tried to log in again to Microsoft account but this time I used my another email. Fortunately, I have Bitlocker recovery keys in there. There are actually 2 recovery keys but I used the one corresponding to the recovery ID indicated in the instructions. And yay, I was able to log in to my PC again! I was only successful on my third try because I did not enter 0 using F10 key (the instructions are in Japanese).
Suggestion:
Try logging in to your Microsoft account using all the email addresses you are using or you have used. It might turn out that the recovery keys are in one of those addresses.
Thank you for all the help from this discussion! Arigatou gozaimasu! :)
I hope you can fix your PCs too.
If you ever used the locked laptop for your work or school, try the link with your work or school email even you never created a Microsoft account with the email. https://myaccount.microsoft.com/
It worked for my HP. Hope it helps!
Hello guys,
same problem here, today bios update, then blue f&/§$ing screen asking a key that I never had because I never set up BitLocker.
I have been reading everything on the subject, the only thing I found that could help was here:
https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Bitlocker-Recovery-after-BIOS-Update/td-p/6103649
They suggest to reverse the bios-update. What do you think?
Anyway, if someone finds a solution PLEASE SHARE :-)
Nothing worked. I finally broke down and had Windows reinstalled. It will wipe your
drive clean. I lost all my most recent data which had not been backed up yet. I have
yet to see anything that could fix it w/o having to reinstall and have your data wiped.
Even in my reinstall of Windows I noticed after the latest update drive encryption had
been set up. I turned it off. I don't understand this since I have Windows Home edition
and I was under the impression it doesn't have BitLocker.
When I go into settings and then "Update & Security" there's a link for "Device encryption"
at the bottom. When I click on it there's a button to turn on drive encryption. I'm no sure
whether an update (I've paused it) will turn it on and encrypt and lock the drive again.
I'll be making an image before I update. For now that seems to be the only way around
Microsoft's incompetence. Protect yourself.
I do have a family friend who is a lawyer and as soon as I can see them I'm going to ask
about what it would take to file a lawsuit. The problem is, I bet that exceptionally long
legalize we're all suppose to read before "clicking" accept when Windows is installed or
you turn it on the first time has a disclaimer about these kinds of things.
