Is there a way to search what email your Bitlocker recovery key is attached to?

Question

A few weeks ago after an update I got that horrible Bitlocker screen. I had no idea it was a thing, let alone that it was on my computer.

I have spent the last 2 weeks doing as much research as I can on how to fix this. Because normally I store every to my OneDrive. But as I ran out of space on all cloud and external devices, I had a few months of important files not backed up that I really can't afford to lose. (I was trying to save for a new external harddrive).

The problem is that I have searched everywhere possible for the recovery key. I have checked emails I never would have thought to check. I have messaged old bosses asking them to reactivate my old work email to see if my device is listed there. As per one Reddit thread I found, I even managed to log into one of my Gmail accounts via one of the 4 Microsoft login portals listed! Any email that was used even once on my laptop has been checked (if I have been able to).

And since I didn't know it was on my computer, I don't have it printed out or written down anywhere.

Has Microsoft created anything similar to something where you can input your device ID and it will let you know what email/s the key is attached to?

Because if not, it is something you need to look into. In all my research, it seems like this is a VERY common problem that can be triggered by something as simple as a scheduled update! And every article I have read (even one where a person said that the device had disappeared from the email it was previously listed under - ultimately not giving the poor person an actual solution), the answer is to find the recovery key.

If the listed ways of key recovery aren't helping a large amount of people, then you need to do better.

I want to exhaust everything possible option of finding the key before I admit defeat and wipe months of hard work that cannot be recreated.

Is there ANY way to find where the device is listed?

(Please don't give me the same response as every other Bitlocker question. I have already read them all).

If not, I highly recommend you create one. And also create more awareness of Bitlocker. Myself and SO many others didn't know it was on their computer or was a system at all. Not even some of my friends who have worked in IT before. That something like this can happen and apparently happens often is incredibly disappointing and heartbreaking. And even more disappointing, this has been a problem for at least 5 years, and your only response is 'you didn't know it existed? Well... Sorry, but you should have have written it down! Say goodbye to all your precious files!'

You are a large, international company. You can afford to do more to help your customers with this problem.

Please help me, Microsoft. And please do better.

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Recovery and backup***

Answer 1

Hi Kyla Andersen,

sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. you can try these steps to find the BitLocker recovery key:

1. Check your Microsoft account: If you sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account, you can find the recovery key in your Microsoft account. Sign in to your Microsoft account and go to the Security tab. Under "Devices," you should be able to find your device and the recovery key associated with it.
2. Check your Active Directory: If your device is managed through Active Directory, your administrator may have stored the recovery key in Active Directory. Contact your administrator for more information.
3. Check your hardware: If your computer is an OEM device, the recovery key may be stored in your computer's TPM chip. You can try using a TPM tool to extract the recovery key.

If none of above steps work, please refer to Finding your BitLocker recovery key in Windows - Microsoft Support.

Please note that Microsoft doesn't store your recovery key.

Have a nice day.

Best regards,

Lei