How to recover your Windows BitLocker recovery key

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to recover your Windows BitLocker recovery key. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

BitLocker is a Windows security feature that encrypts your hard drive to protect your data. If Windows detects a significant change to your hardware or a potential security risk, it may prompt you for a BitLocker recovery key before allowing the system to boot. This guide will help you locate your recovery key and regain access to your computer.

Quick Fix Steps

1. On the BitLocker recovery screen, locate the 48-digit Recovery Key entry field and note the Key ID displayed on the screen.
2. Use a secondary device, such as a smartphone or another computer, to access your recovery key.
3. Retrieve the key from your Microsoft account, your organisation's network, or a physical printout.
4. Type the 48-digit key into the recovery screen on your locked computer.
5. Press Enter to unlock your drive and boot into Windows.

Detailed Instructions

Where your BitLocker recovery key is stored depends on how your computer was set up. If you are a 220 Internet Services managed client, your key may have been automatically backed up to your organisation's Microsoft account. Check the following locations in order.

Check your personal Microsoft account

If you signed into your Windows computer with a personal Microsoft account, the recovery key was likely saved to your account automatically.

1. On another device, open a web browser and go to aka.ms/myrecoverykey.
2. Sign in with the Microsoft email address and password associated with your locked computer.
3. Review the list of devices. Find the device matching your locked computer.
4. Locate the BitLocker recovery key entry. Match the Key ID from your locked screen to confirm you have the correct key.

Check your work or school Microsoft account

If your computer is managed by your organisation, the key is likely stored on the Azure Active Directory (Entra ID) portal.

1. On another device, open a web browser and go to myaccount.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with your work or school email address and password.
3. In the left navigation pane, select Devices.
4. Find your locked device in the list and click on it.
5. Select Manage recovery keys or look for the BitLocker data section to view your key.

Check for a physical printout or USB drive

When BitLocker was initially enabled, Windows may have prompted you to save or print the recovery key. Check the following:

• A printed document stored with your computer or in a physical filing cabinet.
• A USB flash drive that may have been used to store the key during setup.
• A file saved to a cloud storage service like OneDrive or Dropbox.

Troubleshooting

The key is not in my Microsoft account

If you cannot find the key in your personal or work Microsoft account, it may be because the computer was set up with a local account, or the key was never backed up. If your device is managed by 220 Internet Services, our support team may have a record of the key in your organisation's management portal. Please Open a Ticket and include the Key ID shown on your recovery screen.

The recovery screen does not show a Key ID

Some older versions of the BitLocker recovery screen do not display a Key ID. In this case, you will need to try each recovery key listed in your Microsoft account until you find the one that unlocks the drive. Ensure you are entering the numbers carefully, as the F1 through F9 keys may be used to input numbers depending on your keyboard layout.

My computer keeps asking for the recovery key on every boot

If your system repeatedly asks for the recovery key, there may be a hardware issue or a recent change (such as a BIOS update or new motherboard) that has altered your system's security profile. Once you have logged into Windows using the recovery key:

1. Click Start and type Manage BitLocker, then press Enter.
2. Select Suspend protection and then reboot your computer.
3. After a successful reboot, return to the Manage BitLocker window and select Resume protection.

If you are locked out of Windows entirely and need to reset your password rather than your BitLocker key, see our guide on Password reset (Windows login).

Still Having Issues?