HELP with re-install windows using USB device without having created Bitlocker recovery key

Question

I need to reinstall windows as I cannot access basic functions like explorer , settings , task bar , control panel etc . I can only access some third party apps that are on my desktop... I am an administrator with full privileges but encounter access is denied issues as well as windows cannot find the specified path ....

My solution is to reinstall windows ... I have the necessary drivers , but when it comes to selecting which volume to install on I get the Bitlocker lock issue, I have not received any keys and none are connected to my Microsoft account

When I run manage-bde -protecters -add C:

I get " cannot perform this action because the volume is locked"

Please help, thank you

Answer 1

If your drive is locked with Bitlocker, then you cannot backup your files now, because the files are already encrypted

if you do have a OneDrive and Dropbox account check online to see if your files have already been synced online, you cannot back them up now.

Answer 2

I do not have a backup ? Is there anyway I can make one from the CMD?

I have an account Dropbox and OneDrive but how would I go about backing my data up with it

Answer 3

If you cannot find your Bitlocker key on your Microsoft account online and that drive is encrypted with Bitlocker, then there is no way to access that drive, the encryption is too strong, do you not have a backup of your files or use a cloud service like OneDrive, Dropbox..etc. to sync your files online?

Answer 4

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

If you cannot find the Bitlocker key, the data on that drive will not be accessible and re-installing Windows will result in loss of all data on the drive.

You need to delete app partitions on the drive to remove Bitlocker.

At the very start of the Installation Process, press Shift + F10, or Shift + Fn + F10 to open Command Prompt

Run this command and hit Enter:

diskpart

Run this command and hit Enter:

list disk
(Make note of the disk number you want to convert and enter it into the next command - replace X)

Run this command and hit Enter:

select disk X

Run this command and hit Enter:

clean

Then close Command Prompt and restart the installation.

Hello Thank you for your reply ... I've done some research and it says Clean deletes all the data on the disk ? I need that data , is there any other way without losing my data

Answer 5

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

If you cannot find the Bitlocker key, the data on that drive will not be accessible and re-installing Windows will result in loss of all data on the drive.

You need to delete app partitions on the drive to remove Bitlocker.

At the very start of the Installation Process, press Shift + F10, or Shift + Fn + F10 to open Command Prompt

Run this command and hit Enter:

diskpart

Run this command and hit Enter:

list disk

(Make note of the disk number you want to convert and enter it into the next command - replace X)

Run this command and hit Enter:

select disk X

Run this command and hit Enter:

clean

Then close Command Prompt and restart the installation.