How to Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10


You can use BitLocker to encrypt the operating system drive (drive Windows is installed on0, fixed data drive (internal hard drive) or removable data drive (external hard drive or USB flash drive).

If you lost or don't know your BitLocker key (ex: password, PIN, USB) but you have your BitLocker recovery key for an encrypted OS, fixed, or removable drive, you can use that recovery key to unlock your drive. The BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number stored in your computer.

You have the following options to select from when you back up your BitLocker recovery key:
  • Save to your Microsoft account
  • Save to a USB flash drive
  • Save to a file
  • Print the recovery key

See also:

This tutorial will show you how to find your BitLocker recovery key for a drive in Windows 10.


EXAMPLE: Unlock OS drive and fixed or removable drive with BitLocker recovery key
Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-unlock_bitlocker_os_drive_with_recovery_key.jpg Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-unlock_with_recovery.png



Here's How:

1 Depending on how you chose to back up your BitLocker recovery key for a drive, here are places to look for your BitLocker recovery key:


 If you printed the BitLocker recovery key

Look in places you keep important papers.


 If you saved your BitLocker recovery key to a USB flash drive

Plug the USB flash drive in to your locked PC and follow the instructions. If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file.

Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-bitlocker_recovery_key_file.jpg


 If you saved your BitLocker recovery key to your Microsoft account

You can check your OneDrive or Microsoft account online on any computer or phone to see all of your BitLocker recover keys for drives.

Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-bitlocker_recovery_key_onedrive_microsoft_account.jpg Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-bitlocker_recovery_key_microsoft_account.jpg


 If you saved your BitLocker recovery key to your Azure Active Directory account

For work PCs where you sign in with an Azure Active Directory account, to get your recovery key, see the device info for your Microsoft Azure account.


 If you saved your BitLocker recovery key to a file

Locate and open the file to read the text file.

Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10-bitlocker_recovery_key_file.jpg


That's it,
Shawn


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