Bitlocker issue

Question

Hello,

After the update my DELL 7280 is stuck on BitLocker screen. I have checked my account and the device is registered but there is no BitLocker key stored. The BitLocker function was never activated on the device (honestly speaking I was not aware of BitLocker feature at all). Nothing was changed in the laptop HW.

Microsoft hotline advices are not relevant. There are no old copies of correct configurations of the PC to which I can go back, only option is to reset factory with all data to be lost.... anyone solved the issue?

***moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Security and privacy***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to find the Bitlocker recovery key.

Generally, we can refer to the following path to find out the BitLocker recovery key, because this is a personal information and will not be collected by Microsoft, so please kindly try to find carefully if the key was saved in below places:

1. In your Microsoft account: Sign in to your Microsoft account on another device to find your recovery key: If the device was set up or BitLocker protection was activated by another user, the recovery key may be in that user’s Microsoft account.
2. On a printout you saved: Your recovery key may be on a printout that was saved when BitLocker was activated. Look where you keep important papers related to your computer.
3. On a USB flash drive: Plug the USB flash drive into your locked PC and follow the instructions. If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file.
4. In an Azure Active Directory account: If your device was ever signed in to an organization using a work or school email account, your recovery key may be stored in that organization's Azure AD account associated with your device.

If you are unable to locate a required BitLocker recovery key, I am afraid you cannot access that drive.

Best regards,

Molly