retrieve the BitLocker key

Question

Hi,

I have a Dell Precision 3581 Num sérial: xx. Code de service express: <PII>

And I don't know how but bitlocker is actived and I don't have the key. Dell change the motherboard so can you give us the bitlocker keys

THANKS

Answer 1

I wish I could share good news, but the truth is no one can get you the bitlocker key, including Microsoft staff/support. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-6b71ad27-0b89-ea08-f143-056f5ab347d6 The link here says:"Important: Microsoft Support doesn't have the ability to retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key."

Is this where you looked? https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey

If you set it up with school or work account, it is worth checking here as well https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey sign in with your work/school email credential in that case.

Any chance your laptop was purchased used, or already set up for you? Or was it gifted? Or have you set it up with a different account at first? The key is stored with the very Microsoft account used to set up the computer for the first time, even if you had got rid of that account and set it up with a different account. So, if your computer was set up by anyone at the store you bought it from, it would be that person's account.

I assume you don't remember opting out of not saving it in Microsoft account, and saving it to a local file instead? That's another possibility.

If you can't find it at all, there's really no way to go around it. Bitlocker means business. If it can be bypassed, then it means the encryption is not working. Your only option is to do a clean install of Windows. In that case, you do lose your files. I am very sorry.

Answer 2

I've run into this issue on numerous occasions, firstly i'd check Entra/Intune for the key however this is unlikely based off your comment.

Entra > Device details > BitLocker key IDs

Intune > Devices > Monitor > BitLocker

When the motherboard was replaced, Bitlocker see's a 'Hardware change' & essentially locks the drive until the key is entered.

If neither location has the key's stored & the Dell engineer didn't supply the code in his notes you will need to re-image/rebuild the device.

Answer 3

We don't have active directory and the device is not present in my microsoft account

Thank