Problem to retrieve bitlocker key

Question

Hello, for some reason bitlocker is asking for the key on my laptop during boot. When i try to retrieve it from my account \ devices \ details \ manage recovery keys it sends me to another authentication page, which is fine, i then select iphone as passkey, then perform my face id, then it sends me to the next auth step, which is sending an email to me with a code. The problem is that i never get to receive that email. I already checked inbox and spam folder. It never gets there! It is this hotmail account, by the way.

Please advise.

TKS!

Answer 1

Hi Rubemar,

BitLocker is asking for the recovery key because the system detected a change in hardware, firmware, or boot configuration that it considers a potential security risk. The fact that you cannot complete the authentication flow to retrieve the key is a separate issue tied to your Microsoft account. Since you are not receiving the verification email, the first step is to confirm that your Hotmail account is still active and able to receive mail from Microsoft domains. Try logging into Outlook.com directly and check if other test emails arrive. If they do, but Microsoft’s security code emails do not, it usually means your account has outdated recovery information or blocked forwarding rules. Go to https://account.live.com/proofs/manage from another trusted device and verify that your recovery email and phone number are correct. If the email option is failing, switch to SMS or the Microsoft Authenticator app to complete the second factor.

If you cannot update proofs because you are locked out, you will need to use the Microsoft Account Recovery form at https://account.live.com/acsr. Without completing authentication, you will not be able to access the BitLocker recovery key. Unfortunately, there is no supported way to bypass BitLocker without the recovery key. If you cannot regain access to your Microsoft account, the only option is to wait until you can recover the account through Microsoft’s official process.

Do you still have access to another trusted device already signed into your Hotmail account? That would allow you to bypass the email verification step and directly view the recovery key.

I hope this information clarifies your question. If it does, please mark the answer as accepted or give it a thumbs up to let me know. Wishing you a great day ahead.

Harry.