Locked out — BitLocker recovery key missing and Microsoft account locked

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Locked out — BitLocker recovery key missing and Microsoft account locked

Randall Fowler 20

Hi everyone — I’m hoping someone here can help or offer guidance. I’m locked out of my computer because the boot screen is asking for a BitLocker recovery key (48-digit number). The problem: the key was supposedly attached to my Microsoft Account — but I can’t access it because my Microsoft account has been locked for about a month.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:

Tried signing in at https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey (on a different device), but no recovery key appears.
Checked any other Microsoft accounts I’ve used in the past, in case the key was stored under a different login — nothing shows up.
Checked common alternate storage places (USB drives, printed copy, or cloud storage) — no luck.
Tried contacting Microsoft Support via their support portal, but since my Microsoft account is locked, the support system won’t let me get to the BitLocker recovery key. I couldn’t reach a human agent.

I’m concerned that without the recovery key, I may permanently lose access to everything on the drive. According to Microsoft’s documentation: if the recovery key is lost and no backup exists (in account, USB, printed, etc.), there is no way for them to recreate that key.

What I’m asking:

Has anyone successfully regained access in a situation like this?
Are there any lesser-known options (manufacturer backup, BIOS/TPM tweaks, vaults, alternate accounts) that could let me retrieve the recovery key or decrypt the drive — even if my Microsoft account remains locked?
Is there a better way to contact Microsoft Support (phone, enterprise support, escalation) in order to get help with a BitLocker or account-lock issue?

Any advice or shared experience — even if the answer is “maybe it’s hopeless,” I’d appreciate it.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time.

Answer accepted by question author

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Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Unfortunately, you cannot unlock the drive without the BitLocker Recovery key. If the data on the computer is important, you will need to find the key in your Microsoft account. If the account associated with the key is locked, you will have to try the account recovery options, such as using the Account recovery form.

https://account.live.com/acsr

Remember to use a familiar device that you've frequently used to access your Microsoft account, as well as a known location. Microsoft will review your responses and respond within 24 hours. If you're verified, instructions on how to log back into your account will be sent to you; if you're not verified, you'll need to submit the Account Recovery form again. You can do this up to two times every 24 hours.

If you're unable to regain access to your account, you will have to reinstall Windows on your PC, which will completely wipe all data on your HDD. There are no other options to bypass the BitLocker encryption.

Randall Fowler 20 Reputation points

2025-12-09T02:35:49.94+00:00

Thank you @Anonymous . This was helpful. Unfortunately, I need to update my phone number, but I no longer have that number. I cannot access my MS account without the old number, and if I request it to change my account will be locked for 30 days. Is there a way around this? Maybe a form to submit or website where I can update my phone number?

Answer 2

If you are locked out of your computer due to a missing BitLocker recovery key and your Microsoft account is locked, here are some steps you can consider:

Recovery Key Access: Since you mentioned that you checked your Microsoft account for the recovery key, ensure that you are looking under the correct account and that you have checked the recovery key section thoroughly. If your recovery keys were stored in Microsoft Entra ID or Active Directory, you might need to contact your IT administrator for assistance.
Contacting Support: If your Microsoft account is locked and you cannot access the support portal, try reaching out to Microsoft Support through other channels. You can call their support number for your region or look for enterprise support options if applicable. Sometimes, social media channels can also provide a way to get in touch with customer support.
Manufacturer Recovery Options: Depending on your device manufacturer, there may be recovery options available. For example, some manufacturers provide recovery images or tools that can assist in unlocking or recovering data from the drive. Check the manufacturer's website for any specific recovery tools or instructions.
BIOS/TPM Settings: Accessing the BIOS or UEFI settings may allow you to reset or modify settings related to the TPM (Trusted Platform Module). However, this is generally more technical and may not guarantee recovery of the BitLocker key.
Data Recovery Services: If all else fails, consider professional data recovery services. They may have advanced tools and techniques to recover data from encrypted drives, although success is not guaranteed and it can be costly.

Unfortunately, if the recovery key is lost and no backup exists, it is challenging to regain access to the encrypted data. Always ensure to keep backups of recovery keys in secure locations to avoid such situations in the future.

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Locked out — BitLocker recovery key missing and Microsoft account locked

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