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Prompt for Bitlocker key after uninstalling updates - Windows 10

Anonymous
2019-01-03T22:34:01+00:00

Hi need assistance please.  I am running a dell inspiron laptop

After a windows update recently I was having difficulty using the windows start button and my apps did not display either.  

i tried to uninstall the update but was told not all updates could be removed.

After multiple restarts I get the blue screen telling me that i need to put in my bitlocker password.  

As a point of information I had never heard of bitlocker before this incident.  I certainly never turned it on. 

In any case i found the password key on the dell web site. I have entered when prompted it seems to accept it but I get nothing.  It jiust hangs up. Once it told me i had a critical process error and another time it told me that my hard drive was not installed.

i thought maybe its was a hard drive issue but it has been checked and i was told its fine but locked. 

Since i have the key i should be able to get back in right?  

i am wondering if the bad windows update could be contributing to this problem.  I just dont know how this got activated.

Any help would be appreciated. 

Thanks

***Title modified from: Bitlocker and windows 10***

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-01-04T11:06:56+00:00

    Hi Joe,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

    I understand that it can be difficult when your own computer is inaccessible due to some changes that could have happened. However, let's try a few troubleshooting steps and see if we can access the drive.

    • Is the BitLocker Recovery key that you found, valid?
    • If yes, what exactly happens when you enter the key?

    If it's not a valid key, you may try to locate the BitLocker key on your Microsoft account, which will help you access the drive. Refer Find my BitLocker recovery key to know how to find the BitLocker recovery key.

    If no recovery key is found, enable the secure boot setting from BIOS and see if you can access the drive.

    • Power off the device and then power it on.
    • Look for a message on the boot screen just before or after the manufacturer logo appears. You may need to press the 'F1','F2', or 'Delete' button, whatever key is indicated on the boot screen to enter BIOS Settings.
    • Within BIOS, choose the tab 'BOOT'.

    (Note: Depending on the BIOS manufacturer this page could be BOOT, ADVANCED, STARTUP etc.)

    • Look for a setting called 'UEFI Secure Boot' and toggle the Secure Boot setting to 'Enabled'.

    (Note: Each BIOS could have a different name for UEFI Secure Boot. These are the keywords to look for: 'UEFI', 'Secure Boot', 'Legacy Boot'.)

    Restart the machine now.

    Note:

    Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk. 

    If the key is valid, try the troubleshooting steps listed in BitLocker Troubleshooting: Continuous reboot loop with BitLocker recovery.

    Regards,

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-17T01:21:59+00:00

    Thanks for that.   I get the following when I try it.    Wil give it a try again tomorrow.

    The chosen document is not currently available. Please try again later.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-01-16T12:37:13+00:00

    Hi Joe,

    Here's an article that talks about Unlocking BitLocker when it stops accepting recovery keys. I suggest you to try the workaround suggested in the article and see if it works for you.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Regards,

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-01-10T14:04:40+00:00

    Hi Joe,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

    I understand that it can be difficult when your own computer is inaccessible due to some changes that could have happened. However, let's try a few troubleshooting steps and see if we can access the drive.

    • Is the BitLocker Recovery key that you found, valid?
    • If yes, what exactly happens when you enter the key?

    If it's not a valid key, you may try to locate the BitLocker key on your Microsoft account, which will help you access the drive. Refer Find my BitLocker recovery key to know how to find the BitLocker recovery key.

    If no recovery key is found, enable the secure boot setting from BIOS and see if you can access the drive.

    • Power off the device and then power it on.
    • Look for a message on the boot screen just before or after the manufacturer logo appears. You may need to press the 'F1','F2', or 'Delete' button, whatever key is indicated on the boot screen to enter BIOS Settings.
    • Within BIOS, choose the tab 'BOOT'.

    (Note: Depending on the BIOS manufacturer this page could be BOOT, ADVANCED, STARTUP etc.)

    • Look for a setting called 'UEFI Secure Boot' and toggle the Secure Boot setting to 'Enabled'.

    (Note: Each BIOS could have a different name for UEFI Secure Boot. These are the keywords to look for: 'UEFI', 'Secure Boot', 'Legacy Boot'.)

    Restart the machine now.

    Note:

    Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk. 

    If the key is valid, try the troubleshooting steps listed in BitLocker Troubleshooting: Continuous reboot loop with BitLocker recovery.

    Regards,

    To answer the 2 questions below, the recovery key is valid.  It shows the correct laptop info etc.

    when i put in the code, the screen changes as if it is trying to start the process but the screen just remains blank.

    if i put in the incorrect code i cannot even get that far.

    I just dont think that windows is booting properly so I can proceed.   The ironic thing is that i never activated the bitlocker to begin with.

    I really need my information off this drive.

    Any more guidance you can provide will help.

    Joe

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