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How to bypass an update while it is waiting to install - Encrypted drive challenges

Anonymous
2024-07-30T13:51:58+00:00

I have a Dell Optiplex desktop that recently got a BIOS update via Windows Updates. However, once that BIOS updates, Bitlocker will no longer allow access to the drive. Booting into Command Prompt and running bde-manage let me know that there are no key protectors available. From what I can lookup and research, this means that while Bitlocker was turned on and the drive encrypted, the decryption keys were never generated. The computer was able to boot only because the TPM allowed it. Once the BIOS version changed, then the hardware was no longer the same and the computer would not boot. And of course, the data wasn't properly backed up on the computer. After thinking about it for a bit, I came up with a possible fix - downgrade the BIOS to the version it was before the update, then the computer should boot up properly. So managed to downgrade the BIOS to the version just before the computer shipped. Restarted the computer and got the startup screen saying it was Applying Updates, please wait. Great! That means the drive was unlocked and Windows was booting. However, you can probably guess what then happened - the BIOS update was applied again, and the computer was back to not booting.

So my question is - during that Applying Updates period, is there any keystroke or button press I can do to interrupt the update process and just get it to unlock the drive and boot?

I can't boot using a USB, because it gives me that the drive is locked and there are no protectors.

I tried pressing the power button during boot, and this got me to an advanced setup screen. However, when I went to Command Prompt to see what I could do, it gave an error trying to access the drive - Bitlocker problem.

I suspect that if I can press the power button during boot the right way, I might be able to tell it to cancel the update.

Does anyone have any other or better ideas?

***moved from indows / Windows 10 / Windows update, recovery, and backup***

Windows for business Windows Client for IT Pros Devices and deployment Recovery key

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-08-02T06:30:59+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

    Based on the description, I understand your question is related to bypass an update while it is waiting to install.

    You can disable auto BIOS update by boot into the BIOS setup by pressing F2 during startup. Navigate to the Security or Update section. Disable UEFI Capsule Firmware Updates. This should prevent Windows from automatically applying BIOS updates.

    Try press Crtl+Alt+del together during update and check if you can interrupt the process. Also, as BIOS update is related to hardware, it is recommended to contact Dell support for more detailed instructions. They might have specific tools or methods to help you bypass the BIOS update.

    Have a nice day. 

    Best Regards,

    Molly

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