How to find your BitLocker recovery key on a Windows laptop

You may be experiencing a lockout from your Windows computer showing you a BitLocker recovery screen when you power it on, with no option to navigate out.

This can be very frustrating, but it simply means that the HDD/SDD has been encrypted, and this can occur when your PC hardware components have been replaced or BIOS (your computer's setup menu) settings have been changed.

Ideally, BitLocker is like a super-strong lock for your computer's files. It keeps your important stuff safe from people who shouldn't see it and is triggered when there are any software or hardware changes made to your system it suspects might compromise your data.

Thankfully, Microsoft provides an easy way to fix this problem. This guide will teach you how to find your BitLocker recovery key and gain full access to your computer.

How to find your BitLocker Recovery Key

Step 1: Open a web browser, and go to https://account.microsoft.com, and log in to your Microsoft account.

Step 2: Once you've logged in, click on Devices and click on See details. The UI may be slightly different depending on your computer and Windows version.

• If using a work account (i.e, yourname@companyname.com), click on Devices.

Step 3: Click on Manage Recovery Key under BitLocker data protection.

• If using a work account, click on your Windows machine's serial number and then View Bitlocker Keys.

Step 4: This will reveal a list of Recovery keys, depending on how many you have. Find the corresponding Recovery Key to your Key ID displayed on your screen prompt.

• If using a work account, click on Show recovery key.

Step 5: Enter the 48-digit Recovery key and Press Enter. This should resolve the problem.

• If using a work account, click on copy the recovery key and enter it on the BitLocker recovery screen your laptop and press the Enter key.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently locate your BitLocker recovery key and regain full access to your Windows computer.

BitLocker encryption is designed to protect your data by locking your drive under specific security conditions, such as hardware changes or BIOS updates. While encountering the recovery screen can be frustrating, it’s an essential safeguard against unauthorized access.

Image credit: Oyinebiladou Omemu / Microsoft / Techloy.com