Bypassing Bitlocker Key

Question

I need help with locating my bit locker key. I did not set up a bit locker on my computer but when my computer updated it told me I needed a bit locker key. I cannot locate it but went in through skip drive and in the command drive and it gives me TPM not bitlocker key. Is there a was to bypass bitlocker. I have too much info on this computer I do not want to loss. Please help

Answer 1

Hi PatriceSmith2,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Community.

BitLocker Recovery should be stored on the Microsoft Account set up on the Surface. Please try to check on the Microsoft Account through these links if it was stored here: Link1 and Link2. Open the links using your other device then login with your Microsoft Account that was set up on your Surface Pro 3.

If the BitLocker Recovery Key is not found on both links, I'm sorry but we could not bypass the encryption unless we re-install Windows on the device using a USB Recovery Image in which will remove or delete all files/data and apps on the device. You may try to contact support through our Global Customer Service phone numbers for assistance in attempting to retrieve those files through Command Prompt but heads up, the BitLocker encryption might also block you in accessing the drive of the device through Command Prompt.  

For the USB Recover Image, you may follow these steps below if you want:

This option will reimage the entire device and reload Windows including the drivers and firmware. It is the most complete form of Reset . You will need also a 16GB/32GB of flash drive that must be formatted into FAT32 prior to downloading the Recovery Image.

How to Download, Create and Use a USB recovery drive

To download the Recovery Image:

• You'll need a PC running Windows 7 or later or Surface Device.

1. Visit the page to Download the recovery image for your Surface
2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account
3. From the list of Surface devices available, select the device that you need a recovery image for

Please note that while you will only be presented with devices that are currently registered on your account, you will also be presented with the option to get an image for a different type of device. If you try to use this option, you will be prompted to enter the serial number for that device 4. Download the recovery image using the button on the page 5. When the download bar pops up at the bottom of your screen, save the file in a location you will be able to find it.

 Format USB Drive:

• Note: Formatting a recovery drive will erase anything that is already stored on your USB drive. Make sure to transfer any important data from your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a Surface USB recovery drive.

1. Insert your USB drive into the USB port of your PC.
2. From the desktop, open File Explorer
3. Tap and hold or right-click on the USB drive and choose Format
4. Select FAT32 as the file system and enter a Volume label to name the USB drive, such as RECOVERY, and then tap or click Start
5. Tap or click OK to erase the contents of the USB drive
6. Tap or click OK when the format is complete

Create a recovery drive:

1. On your Surface or PC, open recovery image that you downloaded by double-clicking it or right click then select Extract and then Extract all.
2. Select the USB drive you formatted earlier for the location and click Extract.

Use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface:

1. Shutdown the Surface
2. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port
3. Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker
4. Press and release the power button
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker
6. Surface will start the recovery software on the USB recovery drive
7. When prompted, choose your language options and keyboard layout
8. Select Troubleshoot
9. Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC.
10. If prompted, select Repartition the drives
11. If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive

If this answer your question, we highly encourage you to inform our Community by clicking on Yes or marking my post as an answer. This will help other members who may have the same issue as you. Otherwise, don't hesitate to update us so we can further assist you.

Kind Regards,

Marrion Y.