Bitlocker Recovery Key

The newest addition to the family of sophisticated data recovery technologies developed by DiskInternals allows recovering data from BitLocker-encrypted NTFS partitions created in Windows 7 and Vista. Currently available in DiskInternals EFS Recovery, the new technology will be gradually embedded into DiskInternals' other recovery products.

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Our BitLocker recovery key solutions—the portal and web app—provide substantial productivity, resource, and security benefits. The tools get our employees back to a productive state, faster. An hour-long call has been replaced with a simple five-minute, self-service procedure. The portal and web app free our Helpdesk resources for other tasks. BitLocker key package. If the recovery methods discussed earlier in this document do not unlock the volume, you can use the BitLocker Repair tool to decrypt the volume at the block level. The tool uses the BitLocker key package to help recover encrypted data from severely damaged drives.

Background: What Is BitLocker?

Essentially, BitLocker is just a name used by Microsoft to describe an algorithm employed in Windows Vista and Windows 7 to encrypt disk volumes sector by sector. BitLocker is something else than setting security permissions on files and folders and is different from EFS (Encrypted File System) used for encrypting files and folders from the Security tab in Windows Explorer.

Unlike other access restriction and content-encryption methods employed in Microsoft's latest operating systems, BitLocker deals with entire disk volumes. The algorithm of Microsoft BitLocker Recovery uses low-level, sector-by-sector encryption to protect the entire partition, disk, or disk volume.

Two versions of BitLocker exist. The first version, BitLocker 1.0, is used in Windows Vista. This version of BitLocker has certain limitations on which volumes can be encrypted.

For Windows 7 Bitlocker Recovery is a key to restoring Encrypted NTFS Volumes. Windows 7 uses Recovery 2.0. The second version of BitLocker is much easier to use, lifting most limitations of the first edition. Apparently, Windows Vista PCs won't be able to natively access volumes using BitLocker 2.0 encryption. DiskInternals works around these limitations, making such access easily possible - providing that you know the original password or volume recovery key.

Finally, there's a BitLocker To Go. Introduced in Windows 7, BitLocker To Go encrypts removable volumes and supports the new exFAT file system.

Practical uses for Bitlocker

There are situations when you lose your laptop, or it's been stolen, or you want to dispose of your computer, but at the same time, you worry about the confidentiality of your data. It is for this purpose that BitLocker was created. It protects all computer data and prevents unauthorized access to it.

You can manage BitLocker using several tools:

• BitLocker Password Viewer. All recorded recovery passwords are stored here and, if necessary, you can see them; for example, for data recovery. Naturally, this viewing is possible only when you are the administrator of this computer and have all the permissions and privileges for this device.

• Various BitLocker drive encryption tools. These can be manage-bde, the command line, repair-bde, and BitLocker cmdlets. Using these tools, you can create all kinds of scenarios and perform tasks in case of emergency data recovery (i.e., when standard recovery is impossible).

About BitLocker recovery

As it was said above, BitLocker is the technology that lets you encrypt your hard drive.

At the same time, if you cannot access your BitLocker-encrypted disk, you need to begin recovery right away. It is possible to get access to the disk with a BitLocker recovery password.

But if you forget or can not find the password, this can be a problem for you and restoring BitLocker is the only chance you have to get access to the disk. Otherwise, you will need to reinstall the operating system (and that's equal to data erasure).

So here's what you need to know about BitLocker recovery. This is a process that allows you to access an inaccessible drive that is protected with BitLocker. Recovery is important if unlocking the drive in the usual way does not work.

Storage options for the BitLocker recovery key

There are several ways to store recovery keys:

• Quite often, the BitLocker recovery key is stored on a USB drive. In this case, the key can be simply transferred to the computer with a locked disk and you can use the Wizard to restore it.

• Also, the BitLocker recovery key can be stored in a Microsoft or Azure Active Directory account. In order to access the key, you need to log in to the appropriate account and go to the 'BitLocker recovery keys' tab.

• The BitLocker recovery key can simply be printed and stored in a safe place on demand.

• The BitLocker recovery key can also be saved as a file and stored in a safe place.

Recovering BitLocker Volumes: Recovery Keys

DiskInternals can recover files and folders from damaged volumes using BitLocker encryption. However, one important pre-requisite must be met. You have to supply the original encryption password or volume Recovery Key generated by BitLocker at the time the protected volume was created.

DiskInternals does not, and will not break into protected volumes if the original password or volume recovery key is unknown. This is as much of a policy issue as it is a technological limitation. BitLocker protection is strong enough to sustain many years of brute-force attacks.

The password part is simple; if access to your BitLocker volume was protected with a password, simply enter that password into DiskInternals EFS Recovery when prompted, and the recovery will go on seamlessly.

Bitlocker Recovery Keys are something else. These keys are returned by BitLocker at the time the encrypted volume is created and if hardware Trusted Platform Module keys, USB keys or combinations of thereof are employed for transparent encryption. You can save the key as a text file on the USB flash drive and use a different computer to read the text file. A proper BitLocker Recovery Key may look like this:

If you used a USB key to unlock your BitLocker volume, the Recovery Key (in the format shown above) is stored in a .BEK file with a name that looks like this:

Either way, you'll need a volume Recovery Key to recover information from your BitLocker encrypted volume.

The Easy Part: use EFS Recovery to restore BitLocker files

DiskInternals EFS Recovery is a professional software tool that can easily recover data from locked volumes using BitLocker encryption. You just need to enter the key, and then it will automatically scan. After this, select the necessary files for recovery, which will then also happen automatically.

This software works with the following file systems: BitLocker, EFS, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS5, and NTFS.

A free trial version of the program is always available, as well as a free preview function before recovery.

Use the following detailed guide to restore BitLocker files using DiskInternals EFS Recovery.

Step 1. Download and install DiskInternals EFS Recovery.

Step 2. Run the application and scan the disk where the key is located (For EFS, you should choose the disk where Windows encrypted the data; for BitLocker, choose the disk with the BitLocker). Then a new window will appear asking you to enter the key. If there is no such request, then the master key has not been restored.

Step 3. Then select the disk to Decrypt.

Step 4. Select the recovery method: fast or full. Wait for the process to complete. The quick method searches existing and deleted files and takes several minutes. The full method also restores partition structures and searches for signatures. This method will take much longer, but it is preferable if you have a reformatted or damaged disk.

Step 5. Preview. Right-click on the file and select 'Preview in a new window'. If the decryption was successful, then you will be able to preview the files.

Step 6. Saving. Buy a license for this product and enter the license key in the appropriate window.

You can save data at any place convenient for you.

Let's make a summary: to recover files and folders from the encrypted drive, launch EFS Recovery and enter your volume Recovery Key. If the key matches, the product will automatically scan the BitLocker volume to locate any recoverable files and folders, detecting and fixing file system errors if that option is selected. Everything happens completely automatically; all you need to do is selecting which files to recover.

*DiskInternals EFS Recovery overcomes limitations of older versions of Windows being unable to natively access BitLocker volumes. You can run DiskInternals EFS Recovery on Windows 10, Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista, Windows 7 or 2008 Server, and it will still be able to successfully recover BitLocker 1.0 and 2.0 volumes completely automatically.

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Recover a Partition - an expert at recovering lost partitions

Recently, one of my customers, brought his Windows 10 Dell laptop to our service, with the following problem: When the laptop starts, it prompts to enter the BitLocker recovery key, but, as my customer says, it has never enabled the BitLocker encryption on the system.

After some research on the Internet, I found that on some Dell devices the bitlocker is starting automatically to encrypt the drive if a Microsoft Account (MSA) is used on the system. In other cases, some users complained that the Bitlocker encryption was enabled automatically, after updating the BIOS on their Dell laptop.

In this tutorial, you 'll find all the available methods to remove the Bitlocker Drive Encryption in Windows 10.

• Related article:How to Encrypt Drive C: with BitLocker in Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise.

How to Remove Bitlocker Encryption in Windows 10.

Case 1. How to Disable Bitlocker Encryption If you can login to Windows 10.

The normal way to disable the bitlocker encryption in Windows 10 is the following:

1. Navigate to Windows Control Panel and open System and Security.
2. At 'Manage Bitlocker' section, click Bitlocker Drive Encryption.
3. Click Turn off Bitlocker on the encrypted drive.

Case 2. How to Disable Bitlocker if you Cannot login to Windows.

Step 1. Find the Bitlocker Recovery key.

1. First of all, you should know that there is no way to bypass the Bitlocker encryption, if you don't have the Bitlocker password or the bitlocker recovery key. So, If you have enabled the Bitlocker Drive encryption on your system, then look at the following locations to find the bitlocker recovery key:

• On a printout you saved. (Type the 24-digit number recovery key from the printout)
• On a USB flash drive. (Plug the USB drive on the locked PC and follow the instructions)
• On your Microsoft Account.
• On your Azure Account if you sign in with an Azure Active Directory account.

Note for DELL devices: If you own a Dell PC or laptop and you have added a Microsoft account (MSA) on you device, for any reason (e.g. if you use an MSA account to logon to Windows 10, or to download Apps from the Microsoft Store, or to get your emails, or to activate Microsoft Office), then from another device with Internet access, sign in with that Microsoft Account at Microsoft's Bitlocker Recover Key webpage to get the Recovery key for your device. **

Bitlocker Recovery Key Every Time

2. If you find the recovery key, proceed to step-2 below, otherwise proceed to step-3.

Step 2. Unlock the drive by Entering the Recovery key.

Type the bitlocker recovery key (48-digit number) at system startup. If the Bitlocker recovery key, is not accepted at system startup, then you have the following options:

Option 1. Attach the encrypted drive on another Windows 10 PC and then double click on the drive and type the recovery key to unlock it. After unlocking the drive, follow the instructions at case-1 to turn off the bitlocker encryption.

Option 2. Unlock the Drive in WinRE Environment. To do that:

1. Boot your system from a Windows 10 Installation Media (USB or DVD).
2. At the first screen click Next and then Repair you computer.
2. In the screen you asked for the recovery key, click Skip this drive.
3. Then go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command prompt
4. In command prompt, give the following command to view the BitLocker status of all drives:

• manage-bde -status

5. Once you find the drive letter of the encrypted drive, give the following command to unlock the encrypted drive by using the recovery key.

• manage-bde –unlock drive-letter: -rp 48-digit-numerical-recovery-key

e.g. To unlock the drive 'D:', by using the recovery key '123456-789012-345678-901234-567890-123456', type:

Step 1. Download and install DiskInternals EFS Recovery.

Step 2. Run the application and scan the disk where the key is located (For EFS, you should choose the disk where Windows encrypted the data; for BitLocker, choose the disk with the BitLocker). Then a new window will appear asking you to enter the key. If there is no such request, then the master key has not been restored.

Step 3. Then select the disk to Decrypt.

Step 4. Select the recovery method: fast or full. Wait for the process to complete. The quick method searches existing and deleted files and takes several minutes. The full method also restores partition structures and searches for signatures. This method will take much longer, but it is preferable if you have a reformatted or damaged disk.

Step 5. Preview. Right-click on the file and select 'Preview in a new window'. If the decryption was successful, then you will be able to preview the files.

Step 6. Saving. Buy a license for this product and enter the license key in the appropriate window.

You can save data at any place convenient for you.

Let's make a summary: to recover files and folders from the encrypted drive, launch EFS Recovery and enter your volume Recovery Key. If the key matches, the product will automatically scan the BitLocker volume to locate any recoverable files and folders, detecting and fixing file system errors if that option is selected. Everything happens completely automatically; all you need to do is selecting which files to recover.

*DiskInternals EFS Recovery overcomes limitations of older versions of Windows being unable to natively access BitLocker volumes. You can run DiskInternals EFS Recovery on Windows 10, Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista, Windows 7 or 2008 Server, and it will still be able to successfully recover BitLocker 1.0 and 2.0 volumes completely automatically.

DOWNLOADBUY NOW

• BitLocker
• What Is BitLocker
• Bitlocker Recovery Keys
• The Easy Part
• EFS Recovery
• 
  
  DownloadBuy

RAID Array Data Recovery - make your RAID arrays alive

VMFS tools - repair your data from VMFS, VMDK, ESX(i), vSphere disks

Recover a Partition - an expert at recovering lost partitions

Recently, one of my customers, brought his Windows 10 Dell laptop to our service, with the following problem: When the laptop starts, it prompts to enter the BitLocker recovery key, but, as my customer says, it has never enabled the BitLocker encryption on the system.

After some research on the Internet, I found that on some Dell devices the bitlocker is starting automatically to encrypt the drive if a Microsoft Account (MSA) is used on the system. In other cases, some users complained that the Bitlocker encryption was enabled automatically, after updating the BIOS on their Dell laptop.

In this tutorial, you 'll find all the available methods to remove the Bitlocker Drive Encryption in Windows 10.

• Related article:How to Encrypt Drive C: with BitLocker in Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise.

How to Remove Bitlocker Encryption in Windows 10.

Case 1. How to Disable Bitlocker Encryption If you can login to Windows 10.

The normal way to disable the bitlocker encryption in Windows 10 is the following:

1. Navigate to Windows Control Panel and open System and Security.
2. At 'Manage Bitlocker' section, click Bitlocker Drive Encryption.
3. Click Turn off Bitlocker on the encrypted drive.

Case 2. How to Disable Bitlocker if you Cannot login to Windows.

Step 1. Find the Bitlocker Recovery key.

1. First of all, you should know that there is no way to bypass the Bitlocker encryption, if you don't have the Bitlocker password or the bitlocker recovery key. So, If you have enabled the Bitlocker Drive encryption on your system, then look at the following locations to find the bitlocker recovery key:

• On a printout you saved. (Type the 24-digit number recovery key from the printout)
• On a USB flash drive. (Plug the USB drive on the locked PC and follow the instructions)
• On your Microsoft Account.
• On your Azure Account if you sign in with an Azure Active Directory account.

Note for DELL devices: If you own a Dell PC or laptop and you have added a Microsoft account (MSA) on you device, for any reason (e.g. if you use an MSA account to logon to Windows 10, or to download Apps from the Microsoft Store, or to get your emails, or to activate Microsoft Office), then from another device with Internet access, sign in with that Microsoft Account at Microsoft's Bitlocker Recover Key webpage to get the Recovery key for your device. **

Bitlocker Recovery Key Every Time

2. If you find the recovery key, proceed to step-2 below, otherwise proceed to step-3.

Step 2. Unlock the drive by Entering the Recovery key.

Type the bitlocker recovery key (48-digit number) at system startup. If the Bitlocker recovery key, is not accepted at system startup, then you have the following options:

Option 1. Attach the encrypted drive on another Windows 10 PC and then double click on the drive and type the recovery key to unlock it. After unlocking the drive, follow the instructions at case-1 to turn off the bitlocker encryption.

Option 2. Unlock the Drive in WinRE Environment. To do that:

1. Boot your system from a Windows 10 Installation Media (USB or DVD).
2. At the first screen click Next and then Repair you computer.
2. In the screen you asked for the recovery key, click Skip this drive.
3. Then go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command prompt
4. In command prompt, give the following command to view the BitLocker status of all drives:

• manage-bde -status

5. Once you find the drive letter of the encrypted drive, give the following command to unlock the encrypted drive by using the recovery key.

• manage-bde –unlock drive-letter: -rp 48-digit-numerical-recovery-key

e.g. To unlock the drive 'D:', by using the recovery key '123456-789012-345678-901234-567890-123456', type:

manage-bde –unlock D: -rp 123456-789012-345678-901234-567890-123456

6. When the decryption process is completed, give the 'manage-bde -status' command, to ensure that the Encrypted Percentage is 0%

7. Then proceed to disable the Bitlocker protection on the drive, with this command:

• e.g. Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint 'drive-letter:'

e.g. To disable the bitlocker protection on drive 'D:', type:

Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint 'D:'

8. Then decrypt the drive by giving this command (Keep in mind, that you have to wait some time until the background decryption process is completed):

• manage-bde -off drive letter:

e.g. To remove the encryption on drive 'D:' type:

manage-bde -off D:

9. Finally, give again the 'manage-bde -status' command and verify that the Conversion status is Fully Decrypted.

10. When done, remove the Recovery Media and reboot the computer. Windows should start normally.

3. After login to Windows, proceed to deactivate the Bitlocker encryption, by following the steps Ii n Case-1 above.

Step 3. Modify BIOS Settings on your Dell Laptop. *

* Attention: The below procedure applies only on Dell laptops. If you don't have a Dell laptop, then skip to Step-4.

If you cannot find the bitlocker recovery key, from your MS account, and the Bitlocker recovery key prompt, appeared after a BIOS update, then:

1. Power on your laptop.
2. When you see the Dell logo, press continuously the F2 key to enter BIOS Setup.
3. At Boot Sequence options, select UEFI and click Apply.
4. At Security options, select the TPM 2.0 Security and set it to Enable. Then click Apply again.
5. At Secure Boot options, set the Secure Boot to Enable and click Apply.
6. Click Exit to restart the system and see if you can boot to Windows.

Step 4. Completely Erase the Bitlocker Encrypted Drive and Reinstall Windows 10.

If you cannot unlock the drive, by using the instructions above, then the only remaining way to use again your computer, is to remove the Bitlocker encryption by completely erasing the encrypted drive and then to reinstall Windows 10. That means that you will lose all of your stored data. So, continue below, only if you can live with that decision.

*** Caution: Continue below only if it is your last choice. The following procedure WILL DELETE ALL YOUR PERSONAL FILES & DATA on the encrypted disk.***

1. Boot your system from a Windows 10 Installation Media (USB or DVD).
2. At the first screen click Next and then Repair you computer.
3. In the screen you asked for the recovery key, click Skip this drive.
4. Then go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command prompt
5. In command prompt, give the following command:

• diskpart

6. At DISKPART command type type the following command to list all the volumes on the system.

• list volume

7. Then proceed and select the largest in size volume, with this command:*

• select volume number

e.g. As you can see at the screenshot below, the largest in size volume, is the volume '2'. So, at this case the command will be:

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select volume 2

8. Finally proceed to delete the selected volume, by giving this command:

• delete volume override

9. When the process is completed, type exit to close the DISKPART utility.
10. Restart your computer and boot again from the Windows installation media.
11. Proceed to perform a clean Windows 10 installation, by following the steps in this article: How to clean install Windows 10 on your Desktop or Laptop PC.

That's it!
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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