TL;DR
Lost your BitLocker recovery key? If you linked it to your Microsoft account when setting up BitLocker, you can find it online. Here’s how.
How to Recover Your BitLocker Key Using Your Microsoft Account
- Sign in to your Microsoft account: Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email address, phone number, or Skype name associated with your Windows device.
- Navigate to Device Security: Once signed in, go to the ‘Security’ section of your Microsoft account. You might need to verify your identity again.
- Find Your BitLocker Recovery Keys: Look for a section called “Advanced security options” or similar. Within this area, you should find an option related to “BitLocker recovery keys”. Click on it.
- Locate the Key for Your Device: You’ll see a list of devices linked to your account that have BitLocker enabled. Find the device you need the key for.
- View and Copy the Recovery Key: The recovery key will be displayed. It’s usually a long string of numbers. Copy this key carefully! You’ll need it to unlock your drive if Windows asks for it.
- Important: Keep this key in a safe place (e.g., password manager, printed copy stored securely).
What If You Can’t Find the Key?
If you don’t see your recovery key listed on the Microsoft account website, it means the key wasn’t saved there when BitLocker was set up. Here are some other places to look:
- Printed Copy: Did you print a copy of the key when setting up BitLocker? Check any files or folders where you keep important documents.
- USB Drive: You might have saved the recovery key to a USB drive. Try plugging in any USB drives that were connected to your computer at the time you enabled BitLocker.
- Microsoft Account Backup (if applicable): Some backup solutions may include BitLocker recovery keys. Check your backups if you use one.
Using the Recovery Key
When Windows prompts you for a BitLocker recovery key, carefully enter the 48-digit code. Be sure to double-check each digit before submitting.
Preventing Future Issues
- Save Your Key: When setting up BitLocker in the future, always choose to save your recovery key to your Microsoft account and/or create a printed copy.
- Keep Account Secure: Protect your Microsoft account with a strong password and enable two-factor authentication for added security.