bitlocker recovery key - same SDD from old to new NUC

Question

Hello - I purchased a new NUC 12/2020 for my elderly mother to browse the web. Video has just failed so I today purchased a new NUC and took the RAM and SDD from the old NUC into the new NUC. After turning the new NUC on it requests a Bitlocker key. The first NUC was bought with software and components all loaded. There is no recollection of ever turning on Bitlocker on it (Windows 10). If it actually was turned on then it was likely by the shop it was purchased from. I plugged the first NUC in and got it ready for my mother to use (browser / printers / monitor etc).

I went back to the shop i purchased both NUC from and they advised to contact Microsoft to resolve hence this email. I have a copy of my invoice of purchase for the original NUC and the windows 10 software along with the Windows 10 serial number.

I have a Microsoft account myself. There is no Bitlocker info for the NUC on my Microsoft account. I am unaware of my mother having a Microsoft account (it could be possible but she does not believe she has one) In the interim the Windows on the NUC upgraded to Windows 11.

I need to get this new NUC up and running for my mother as browsing the web is a great mental stimulation for her and keeps her busy and in contact via email with others.

Can you please assist with how to get this new NUC up and running. There are a number of photos and medical information on the SDD which we can not afford to lose.

Thanks,

Brett.

Answer 1

Hello，Brett_MC

Regarding the recovery key, you can find it in the following places:

• Active Directory (AD)
• Azure Active Directory (AAD)
• Microsoft Account
• MBAM
• 3rd management application
• Other methods like notepad/pdf/USB

1.If you are logged in with ad account,You need to first ensure that the following policies are configured.

Please install the following feature on ad dc side, then open ADUC and look for the recovery key.

Domain Administrator privileges are required or delegated permissions must have been granted by a domain administrator.

Normal users will not see the recovery key and cannot search for it.

 

2.If it's a Microsoft or Azure networked account login, it may backup into the Onedrive corresponding to one of those accounts.Try to find it from the following link

Azure Links：Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Links:Sign in to your account

3.If you are using MBAM to manage the recovery key, You can refer to the following documentation to view the recovery key：

Perform BitLocker management with MBAM 2.5 - Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack | Microsoft Learn

4.The recovery key may be stored in the 3rd management application, or it may exist somewhere like notepad/pdf/USB.You can try looking in these places.

Best regards,

Chengxili