How do I bypass the Bitlocker recovery screen that appeared after a Windows 11 update.

I have a Lenovo Ideapad 3 with Windows 11. It ran an update and now the Bitlocker recovery screen appeared. I did not enable BitLocker.

 I have the same computer and the same problem. But I have the recovery key - I got it from my Microsoft account - and it doesn't work. I have a theory.

The latest (November 2023) Windows 11 update seems to have caused a number of problems. To get past one of them, I did a System Restore, using a Restore Point created back in October, before the update. The Restore operation was successful, but on restart, I got the demand for a BitLocker key. And when I provided the key, it didn't work. My theory is this. I would love to have a knowledgeable answer.

For a long time, using BitLocker was optional. If you turned it on, BitLocker would encrypt the disk, then set the BitLocker status flag to ON. Windows always checks the flag during bootup, and either decrypts or not, as indicated by the status. Since I had never turned BitLocker on, the flag was set to OFF, and the disk is unencrypted.

The problem? I have recently read in several places that in its desire to be “helpful”, Microsoft now turns BitLocker on automatically. And I am guessing that buried in the latest update, the status flag was ON. When I did the System Restore, I went back to a time when BitLocker was OFF. But now, post-update, Windows sees that the Status flag is ON, and tries to decrypt something that was never encrypted.

Thoughts? I can still get to the BIOS, but everything having to do with encryption seems to be off.. Can I fix the problem there?

Meanwhile, be very careful when doing a System Restore.

Bill

I have the same laptop.

Device Encryption is set during setup due to the bios. I believe the manufacturers know this. The main reason is Modern Standby,

You can create your own Windows 11 USB install media Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com) but you will need another Windows PC.

If you can create this bootable USB then boot from it and select Language > Install now > Custom install. At custom install delete all partitions until there is only unallocated space. Select Next and follow the onscreen instructions.

This process is a clean install and will delete all data on the internal drive.

There is no workaround if you don't have the 48 character recovery key.

My IT experience is limited but it does sound like they are trying to charge me for something I can do on my own. I have access to another computer so I can handle the download part. Can you be more specific with instructions for how I boot with it? What do you mean by delete all partitions?

Bill Jeffrey,

Does the recovery ID for the recovery key you have match the one shown on the BitLocker blue screen ?

Windows 11 can use Device Encryption with the introduction of Modern Standby and so is enabled on Windows 11 Home during setup. (unknown to the user)

When you have created the USB install media, then with the USB flash drive plugged into the USB port power on the laptop.

At the same time tap the F12 key continually until you see a boot menu. This will contain the window boot manager and the USB. Use arrow down to highlight the USB and press the enter key.

When the USB has been loaded you should see the option to select Language, then Install now and at Custom install this screen. (perhaps not exactly as the image but near enough)

these are the partitions and with them selected then you can select Delete.

Ref How to: Perform a Custom Installation of Windows 11 and Windows 10 or - Microsoft Community

I hope that covers it for you . If not then post back.