Windows will require a BitLocker recovery key when it detects an insecure condition that may be an unauthorized attempt to access the data. Why is Windows asking for my BitLocker recovery key?īitLocker is the Windows encryption technology that protects your data from unauthorized access by encrypting your drive and requiring one or more factors of authentication before it will unlock it, whether for regular Windows use or an unauthorized access attempt. The requirement for a recovery key in these cases is a critical component of the protection that BitLocker provides your data. This key may be stored in your Microsoft account, printed or saved as a file, or with an organization that is managing the device. Your BitLocker recovery key is a unique 48-digit numerical password that can be used to unlock your system if BitLocker is otherwise unable to confirm for certain that the attempt to access the system drive is authorized. Held by your system administrator: If your device is connected to a domain (usually a work or school device), ask a system administrator for your recovery key. You may be able to access it directly or you may need to contact a system administrator to access your recovery key. In an Azure Active Directory account: If your device was ever signed in to an organization using a work or school email account, your recovery key may be stored in that organization's Azure AD account associated with your device. If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file. On a USB flash drive: Plug the USB flash drive into your locked PC and follow the instructions. Look where you keep important papers related to your computer. On a printout you saved: Your recovery key may be on a printout that was saved when BitLocker was activated. If the device was set up or BitLocker protection was activated by another user, the recovery key may be in that user’s Microsoft account.

For more, see Device encryption in Windows 10. If you have a modern device that supports automatic device encryption, the recovery key will most likely be in your Microsoft account. In your Microsoft account: Sign in to your Microsoft account on another device to find your recovery key: There are several places that your recovery key may be, depending on the choice that was made when activating BitLocker: Where can I find my BitLocker recovery key?īitLocker ensured that a recovery key was safely backed up prior to activating protection. If your system is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, the following information may help you locate your recovery key and understand why you may be asked to provide it.

Bitlocker recovery key windows 10