How to recover your BitLocker recovery key from your Microsoft account after a hardware change

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to recover your BitLocker recovery key from your Microsoft account after a hardware change. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

BitLocker is a Windows encryption feature that protects your data by locking your drive. After a hardware change—such as a motherboard replacement, BIOS update, or TPM modification—Windows may request a BitLocker recovery key before allowing you to sign in. If your device is linked to a Microsoft account and you chose to back up the recovery key during setup, your recovery key is saved online and can be retrieved from another device.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Use a different device (phone, tablet, or another PC) that can access the internet.
2. Go to the Microsoft account recovery page and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your locked computer. Ensure this account has administrator privileges on the locked device.
3. Locate your device in the list and select Manage.
4. Select Recovery keys and copy the Recovery key shown.
5. Enter the key on your locked Windows 11 PC to unlock the drive.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Access your Microsoft account

1. On a separate device, open a web browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey.
2. Sign in using the same Microsoft account email address that you use on your locked Windows 11 PC. This account must have administrator rights on the locked device.
3. If you have two-step verification enabled, complete the authentication prompt.

Step 2: Find your recovery key

1. Once signed in, you will see a list of devices associated with your account.
2. Find the device that is requesting the BitLocker key and select Manage.
3. On the device management page, select Recovery keys.
4. Locate the Recovery key for your device. It is a 48-digit numeric password.
5. Write the key down or copy it to a secure note.

Step 3: Unlock your Windows 11 PC

1. Return to your locked computer.
2. On the BitLocker recovery screen, enter the 48-digit recovery key using the keyboard.
3. Press Enter.
4. Windows will unlock the drive and boot to your desktop.

Troubleshooting

I cannot sign in to my Microsoft account

If you have forgotten your Microsoft account password, you can reset it using the Password reset (Windows login) guide, or use the account recovery options on the Microsoft sign-in page.

No recovery key is listed

If no key appears, it may not have been backed up to your Microsoft account. This happens if you did not select the option to save to your Microsoft account when BitLocker was first enabled. Check the following:

• Printed or handwritten copies you may have saved when BitLocker was first enabled.
• A USB flash drive where the key may have been saved.
• Your organisation's IT administrator, if the device is managed by a business.
• If none of these apply, your data may be unrecoverable without the recovery key.

Still Having Issues?