How do I get need a recovery key for BitLocker?

To obtain a recovery key for BitLocker, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Recovery Key ID: When BitLocker locks your device, it displays a recovery screen during startup. Write down the 32-digit BitLocker recovery key ID shown on this screen.
2. Access the Self-Service Portal: On another computer, navigate to the BitLocker self-service portal configured by your IT administrator. This is usually a specific URL provided by your organization.
3. Enter the Recovery Key ID: In the self-service portal, enter the first eight digits of the BitLocker recovery key ID. If this matches multiple keys, you will need to enter all 32 digits.
4. Select a Reason: Choose a reason for your request from the provided options, such as "Lost PIN/passphrase" or "BIOS/TPM changed".
5. Get the Key: Click on the option to retrieve the key. The portal will display the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.
6. Enter the Recovery Key: Use this 48-digit recovery key to unlock your BitLocker-encrypted drive on your laptop.

Note: If you have not signed into the computer at least once, you will need to contact your IT help desk for assistance in recovering the key.

References:

• Use the Self-Service Portal to regain access to a computer
• BitLocker recovery process

Hello Enid Winter, thanks for posting this in our community.

A BitLocker recovery key is a numerical password that can unlock your encrypted drive.

Since you mentioned you recently purchased the laptop, it's best to ask the seller if they have the recovery key or if the device was reset properly. If the drive was encrypted and the seller didn’t provide the key, you may not be able to access the data.

If the laptop was previously set up with a Microsoft account, the recovery key may be stored online. You can check by going to https://aka.ms/recoverykey, signing in with the Microsoft account that was used to set up the laptop, and looking for a recovery key associated with your device.

Kind regards,

John Oli