Bitlocker recovery key

If BitLocker is asking for a recovery key and none of the methods to locate it work, there is no way to unlock the encrypted drive without that key. BitLocker is designed so that neither Microsoft Support nor anyone else can bypass or recreate a lost recovery key.

Try all supported locations for the recovery key:

1. Microsoft account (for personal devices)
   • On another device, go to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey.
   • Sign in with the Microsoft account that was used when the PC was first set up or when BitLocker was enabled.
   • Match the Recovery key ID shown on the blue BitLocker screen with the ID listed online, then use the corresponding 48‑digit key.
2. Work or school account / Microsoft Entra ID / Intune
   • If the PC was ever joined to a work or school organization:
     • Go to https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey and sign in with the work or school account.
     • Select Devices, expand the affected device, and choose View BitLocker Keys.
   • If the device is Intune‑enrolled, use the Company Portal:
     • On any device, sign in to the Company Portal website.
     • Go to Devices, select the locked PC, then select Get recovery key → Show recovery key.
3. Printed copy or USB drive
   • Check any printouts or documents saved when BitLocker was turned on.
   • Check USB drives for a text file containing the recovery key.

If the recovery key cannot be found in any of these locations:

• The key cannot be retrieved or recreated by Microsoft Support or by an administrator. This is by design to protect the encrypted data.
• To use the PC again, the drive must be reset or clean‑installed, which will delete all files on that encrypted volume.
  • For consumer devices, this typically means using Windows recovery options or a clean Windows installation from USB.

There is no supported method to keep the existing files if the BitLocker recovery key is lost and not backed up in any of the supported locations.

References:

• Find your BitLocker recovery key
• Get recovery key for Windows
• BitLocker overview
• BitLocker recovery process
• Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates
• I WANT TO FIND MY BITLOCKER RECOVERY KEY FOR MY COMPUTER - Microsoft Q&A
• Trying to reach a person to help me retrieve my bitlocker key (Why is this so hard to talk to a person) - Microsoft Q&A
• Request for Assistance with BitLocker Recovery – Surface Pro 2 - Microsoft Q&A
• Surface Pro 3 blocked - Microsoft Q&A