forgot my password laptop

To sign back in and deal with BitLocker, follow these steps in order.

1. Try to reset or change the Windows sign-in

• On the sign-in screen, select the account.
• If using a Microsoft account, select I forgot my password and follow the steps to reset it online.
• If using a local account password and you are already signed in (or can get signed in):
  1. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Select Password > Change and follow the instructions.
  3. If the option I forgot my password appears, select it and answer the security questions to set a new password.
• If you can’t sign in at all with a local account:
  1. On the sign-in screen, select the password entry button.
  2. Select OK, then Reset password.
  3. Answer the security questions you set up when the account was created, then enter a new password.

2. If BitLocker is blocking reset (BitLocker recovery key required) If the device is asking for a BitLocker recovery key and you don’t have it, only supported recovery options are:

• Check the Microsoft account for the recovery key
  1. On another device, go to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey.
  2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account that was used when BitLocker was turned on.
  3. Find the device and use the listed recovery key to unlock the drive.
• If it’s a work or school device
  1. On another device, go to https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey.
  2. Sign in with the work or school account.
  3. Select Devices, expand the device, and choose View BitLocker Keys.
  4. Match the key ID shown on the blue BitLocker screen and use that recovery key.
• Check other possible locations
  • Printed copy of the recovery key with other device paperwork.
  • A USB flash drive where the key might have been saved as a text file.

3. If the BitLocker recovery key cannot be found If the recovery key is not in any of these locations and the device is stuck on the BitLocker recovery screen, there is no supported way to bypass BitLocker. The only remaining option is to reset the device using Windows recovery options, which will erase all files on the drive.
4. After recovery (if the device is unlocked) If the device is unlocked using the recovery key and the issue was a forgotten PIN or password, change the PIN/password while signed in so BitLocker does not ask for recovery every time.

• For a forgotten BitLocker PIN:
  1. Unlock the device using the recovery password.
  2. Open the BitLocker Control Panel applet, expand the drive, and select Change PIN.
  3. Select Reset a forgotten PIN and provide admin credentials if prompted.
  4. Enter and confirm a new PIN and select Finish.

References:

• Change or reset your password in Windows
• Find your BitLocker recovery key
• Back Up Your BitLocker Recovery Key
• BitLocker recovery overview
• BitLocker recovery process
• Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
• User Account Access in Windows
• I WANT TO FIND MY BITLOCKER RECOVERY KEY FOR MY COMPUTER - Microsoft Q&A
• Surface Pro 3 blocked - Microsoft Q&A
• Request for Assistance with BitLocker Recovery – Surface Pro 2 - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to log in to Dell Rugged Laptop - Microsoft Q&A