Find Bitlocker Recovery Key

Question

Find Bitlocker Recovery Key

Cristina Zanetti 40

Dear Community,

I got my laptop fixed but when I start it, it asks for the Bitlocker Recovery Key. I do not have this number and could also not find it attached to my private Microsoft account. Can you help me how I can find it? The explanatory MS videos and pages are unfortunately not helpful for me.

Thanks a lot and kind regards

Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-28T17:25:10.9566667+00:00

Hi @Lychee-Ng , unfortunately I am not getting reliable support to this issue https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5633858/cant-remove-work-or-school-account-from-personal-p?page=1&orderby=Helpful&comment=answer-12388776&translated=false#newest-answer-comment Can you support me here too please? Thanks a lot!

Answer accepted by question author

2 additional answers

Your answer

Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-28T17:25:10.9566667+00:00

Hi @Lychee-Ng , unfortunately I am not getting reliable support to this issue https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5633858/cant-remove-work-or-school-account-from-personal-p?page=1&orderby=Helpful&comment=answer-12388776&translated=false#newest-answer-comment Can you support me here too please? Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Lychee-Ng 10,660 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Cristina Zanetti,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A community.

I understand that you're incredibly in need of your BitLocker key. I wish I could share good news, but I have to be direct: no one can give you that, not even Microsoft.

The key is often saved to the very first Microsoft account used to set up the computer. So let's look for it one more time by visiting the official Recovery key page. Sign in with every possible account you or others may have used on the PC (personal, secondary personal, work, school, etc.)

For work or school devices, you can also ask your organization's IT department in case it was in their library. Also check in OneDrive cloud to see if there's a chance that the key was automatically saved (look for any .txt files mentioning key / bitlocker)

If you can't find it at all or it was never backed up, it is impossible for Microsoft to send you BitLocker key. I know this is not the answer you were hoping for, and I'm sorry to have to share this difficult information. But I believe it is best to be direct and give you the correct information.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-19T14:56:22.0133333+00:00

Thanks a lot for your answer, this is highly appreciated! I will follow your suggested steps. All the best
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-19T15:01:14.2066667+00:00

Good luck on your finding. It's unfortunate but if you can't find the key at all, the only way to get your laptop working again is to clean install Windows, which will clear all data and applications. In that case, to prevent the situation happens next time, you can turn BitLocker off or save the key to multiple places in advance!
Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-19T18:52:17.1433333+00:00

Thank you! Do you have a wiki page about how I can clean and install Windows as well as turn BitLocker off? All the best
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-20T06:14:00.73+00:00
Hi. Here's the full guide on clean installation (it can be applied for both Windows 10 and 11): Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support. Open the page and scroll to the bottom, expand Clean Installation and follow the instructions.

I can also summarize the main steps here:

Create a Windows installation USB drive using the "Media Creation Tool" on a working computer.

Plug in the USB drive and you will have the options to boot the locked PC with new Windows.

During installation, when you get to the drive selection screen, choose to delete all existing partitions on the locked drive.

Proceed with the installation on the now-unallocated space.

For BitLocker, here's the article: BitLocker Drive Encryption - Microsoft Support. It includes guidelines and screenshots on how to navigate the feature. In the same place you will find the option to turn off BitLocker or save the key!
Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-20T10:20:16.8066667+00:00

Dear Lychee, I found the recovery key and I am very happy about it. XXX. The ID is identical to the one in my document. However, if I type it in on my Dell XPS Laptop, the system works a bit and then the new promt request to type in the recovery key appears again. I tried 3 times and always was brought back to the same page. What do I have to do so that my laptop is working again? Thanks a lot for your response and kind regards.
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-20T12:01:17.18+00:00
The cycle you're experiencing means that there might be something in the system that got corrupted and couldn't work normally anymore, blocking BitLocker verification. The goal is to get to the Windows where you can turn it off.

First let's try to get in the Windows Recovery Environment (also called WinRE) by:

Restart the laptop and interrupt boot 3 times to trigger this

Basically, force shut down your laptop with the power button. Restart, then when you see the Dell logo, force shut down again. Do this 3 times.

On the fourth start, it should show preparing Automatic Repair and a Menu.

Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt

The PC restart and there will be a black window with place to type

Now type the following commands and press Enter after each of them:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

chkdsk C: /f /r

Those will attempt to fix anything corrupted and allow you to boot normally

However, if you're stuck with BitLocker again, go back to the Command Prompt and Enter:

manage-bde -status

manage-bde -unlock C: -rp <Type Your 48-digit Recovery Key Here>

manage-bde -protectors -disable C:

Then exit and reboot your PC (note: C: is your locked drive)

Disclaimer: Running chkdsk can check the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. To avoid any trouble for you, do not cancel or interrupt chkdsk, and back up important data. More information please refer to this chkdsk | Microsoft Learn.

Following these steps should get you into Windows again. If the -status command above sends back any new error or information, let me know.
Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-21T14:41:26.5333333+00:00

Dear Lychee, I managed to fix the problem and got to the login page. Now I am facing the next problem. It wants me to login with my work account, where I do not work anymore. I would therefore like to use my private email address ([Moderator note: PII removed]@gmail.com), which is also attached to a Microsoft account. Alternatively I could also use my University email address ([Moderator note: PII removed]), where I am a lecturer. Thanks a lot for your support and kind regards, [Moderator note: PII removed]
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-23T06:59:36.77+00:00
This is a very tricky situation. Your laptop is likely still registered in your former employer's management policy, locking you from simply typing in a different account. Let's see what we can do:

1 - Check if you have "Other User" option

On the login screen, look for "Sign-in options" and an alternative login method.

See if you have the option to switch users > click it to bring up classic login.

Enter your Microsoft account email and password > Log in

If this works, go into Settings and remove any other accounts linked with this PC

2 - If it fails, you need to remove the corporate management entries by restarting the PC:

Get back to the WinRe as mentioned in my previous reply, using easier way this time:

On the login screen, holding down Shift while clicking Restart

Keep holding Shift until you get to the WinRE

Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Choose "Keep my files":

Preserve your personal files in a folder on the desktop after the reset.

Remove your former employer's policies and account control.

You will have to reinstall all apps and programs

During the reset, you will be prompted to set up Windows again

However, if both the options above are blocked by a very strict policy, you may have to contact your old workplace's IT support. Another option is the clean installation, which will erase everything. Only use this if you have no other choices.

Answer 2

Cristina Zanetti 40

Dear Lychee,

If I follow the steps suggested, I get stuck at the step "On the login screen, holding down Shift while clicking Restart - Keep holding Shift until you get to the WinRE".

Even though I do as suggested, the shift button does not trigger WinRE. I keep getting to the login page.

Can you help me to fix my issue?

If it's easier for you, feel free to contact me via Teams [Moderator note: PII removed]

Thanks a lot and kind regards, [Moderator note: PII removed]

Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-23T12:06:33.36+00:00
Hi, that is another way to trigger WinRE, but if you cannot go via that way, consider doing the force restart (how you got to Command Prompt previously).

For the later request, it's unfortunate but we cannot make contact outside of the community platform (your link is already hidden). If you want to get in touch with an agent who can talk and guide you step by step, I suggest Chat Support:

Visit Contact Us - Microsoft Support > Sign in

Search for your problem > click "Get Help" button to start the request

Scroll to the bottom and click "Contact Support" to connect to an agent

Select the right categories that most closely match your issue again

You will be added into a waiting line

Note: The support contact team only works at certain times, so if the last window shows that it's unavailable, try opening it again the next day. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. This way, they can call you and help you.

Answer 3

Cristina Zanetti 40

Hi Lychee,

I opened a new question threat because this threat was about a topic that we managed to fix. I would appreciate if you could continue to support me to get my laptop running again.Thank you and kind regards

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/answers/questions/5633858/cant-remove-work-or-school-account-from-personal-p

Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-24T07:37:36.81+00:00

I'll join in if I can. It's been great talking to you. Thanks for your patience also!
Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-26T06:24:18.45+00:00

Dear Lychee, unfortunately I am not getting a response to my question from the responsible of the following thread: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/answers/questions/5633858/cant-remove-work-or-school-account-from-personal-p Could you please reply to me? Thanks a lot🙏
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-26T08:44:09.77+00:00

Hi Cristina Zanetti, I've checked out your other thread and see that one of the Independent Advisors is already engaging in that thread. You can comment directly under his answer, as well as tagging his account to notify him.

Explain that you're stuck on the login screen with only work account, which you don't have access to anymore. You can't get into Windows to do anything else. If Dave still doesn't reply then, we will assign someone to process further.

In the meantime, I suggest you look into this similar situation: ‎I'm stuck on the organization login prompt, post clean win 10 install. Help? | DELL Technologies. Though it's about W10 and Dell device, the sentiment is not too different. So in case that you got the laptop with Windows installed from previous workplace, your best chance might be clean install with the correct consumer edition (Home or Pro).

Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it. Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.
Cristina Zanetti 40 Reputation points

2025-11-26T14:31:58.5233333+00:00

Hi @Lychee-Ng I've got these subscriptions:

If this a Home or Pro version?

Best
Lychee-Ng 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-27T07:12:22.5166667+00:00

Hi, the screenshot you shared shows Microsoft 365 subscription details, which is Microsoft products to use in Windows, doesn't always relate to the Windows edition itself. I do see Office 365 A1 for Faculty though, and this version is likely linked to Education account. I think that this is the school account you mentioned previously? These subscriptions often come with Windows 11 Education or Pro Education, which are also organization editions, not the normal Home/Pro for consumer use.

My advice: Whatever edition you plan to activate, you should do on personal account. You can link the school account and download the M365 subscriptions later to use if needed. For why I suggest this: In your case, you previously have a work account but now don't use it anymore, and it got your laptop stuck, right? We don't want that to happen again with a school account (the school can evoke it anytime). So it's better to make change (and payment) on your personal account, which cannot be taken or affected by a third-party.

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