Microsoft BitLocker recovery key

Nick Fernandes 0 Reputation points
2026-09-13T08:34:06.7366667+00:00

My PC showed a dark screen after signing in. However after going thru all the necessary ways to get the screen back, I got stuck on Microsoft BitLocker recovery key. I do not remember this unique 48-digit numerical password. How can I know. Many thanks Nicky

Windows for home | Other | Recovery and backup
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  1. DaveM121 930.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-13T09:07:09.3333333+00:00

    If your drive is encrypted with Bitlocker, the only place the Bitlocker Recovery key is automatically stored is on the associated Microsoft account on the link below, be sure to check any Microsoft account that may have been used on the PC and also any work or school account that may be linked to the PC.

    (Note, even if your device does not show on the Microsoft account, the Bitlocker Recovery Key may still be available on this link)

    https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey

    Are you able to find the Bitlocker Recovery Key on any account that may have been used or linked to the laptop?

    If not, do you have a safe backup of your files, or use a cloud service like OneDrive to sync your files online.

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  2. ApexNáV 90 Reputation points
    2026-09-13T08:47:33.7266667+00:00

    You have to find it. Use your Microsoft account to find it from another device. Check below steps provided in link by Microsoft:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/encryption/find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key

    If you can’t find the BitLocker recovery key and your laptop/PC doesn’t contain any important data, then as Microsoft suggests in the link above, you can have to reset the device from Windows recovery.

    If you face any issue from resetting it from recovery then perform a clean Windows installation using a bootable USB. To do a clean install, delete the Windows drive and its partitions, then install Windows onto the resulting unallocated space. Do not delete other drives, or you will lose their data.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-13T08:34:21.4833333+00:00

    If BitLocker is asking for the recovery key, the device cannot be unlocked without the correct 48-digit recovery password.

    Try these supported places to find it:

    1. Microsoft Entra ID self-service If the device is a work or school device and the key was stored there, sign in to https://myaccount.microsoft.com, open Devices, select the Windows device, and choose View BitLocker Keys.
    2. Intune Company Portal For an organization-managed work or school PC:
      • Sign in to https://portal.manage.microsoft.com
      • Go to Devices
      • Select the locked PC
      • Select Get recovery key
      • Select Show recovery key
      The key is a 48-character password shown in eight groups of six digits. Enter that on the BitLocker recovery screen. The key display disappears after five minutes, and can be shown again.
    3. Saved recovery items A BitLocker recovery password or recovery key might have been:
      • printed
      • saved to a USB device
      • stored in Microsoft Entra ID or Active Directory
    4. If this is a work or school device Contact the organization helpdesk or IT support. They can locate the recovery password by using the device name or the recovery key ID shown on the BitLocker recovery screen.

    Important details:

    • The BitLocker recovery password is the 48-digit number used to unlock the drive in recovery mode.
    • On the recovery screen, hyphens are optional when entering the 48-digit key.
    • If no key is found for an organization-managed device that is properly encrypted, contact IT support.

    If the correct recovery key cannot be found, access to the drive cannot be restored by bypassing BitLocker.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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