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I am locked out of my computer and need to input my bit locker recovery key. I logged into my MS account and see my laptop and my recovery key. Everything matches.
However, when I enter my Bit locker recovery key, I get the message "Failed to unlock with this recovery key"
Why doesn't my recovery key work? What can I do (outside of reinstalling Windows and losing all my data) to unlock my computer?
Thank you
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
If that recovery key was unsuccessful in unlocking your device, try accessing any other Microsoft account that may have been linked to the device like a work or school account to check if there is any Bitlocker Recovery Key linked to any other account.
If not, do you have a safe backup of your files, or use a cloud service like OneDrive to sync your files online.
Thank you for the response. I guess what I really don't understand is why the recovery key is not working. When I go to my account, the device details match with my laptop. I am confident I used my MS account to setup my laptop (and not a work or school account). I really think this is a Microsoft problem and I need to know how to fix it.
I do have a backup of my important stuff and some pictures, but I'd really like to keep all my files.
There is no documented reason why the key would fail if it is the correct key that matches the Bitlocker ID provided on the blue screen you see when you start your PC, try carefully entering the key a couple more times, it may then work.
If it does not work to unlock your device, there is no other method available to access that device, the only option would be to create a bootable Windows USB on another working PC, then use that to wipe the drive and clean install Windows, which would sadly result in loss of all data on the drive.
Do you have a link to help create the bootable Windows USB and how to install Windows?
You will need an empty USB flash drive (minimum 8GB in size)
Click this link: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
to download the Media Creation Tool (Click on Download Tool Now), with that you can create a bootable USB flash drive (min 8GB) using that tool.
Then, boot your PC from the bootable USB you just created to begin installing Windows 11.
During the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 11. on this PC'.
Reinstalling Windows using a bootable USB is a big job, if you have never previously done that, it may be best to have someone there help you with the process.
Do you have a link to help create the bootable Windows USB and how to install Windows?
I am sorry, I do not have any videos myself.
On this link are the steps Microsoft provide to create the bootable USB.
They do not provide any videos showing the installation process, there are many videos available on Youtube on how to use the USB to install Windows.
