How can I inlock the bitlocker without a key? I have a Bitlocker recovery key ID number but no recovery keys attached to my device.

Loren Breithoff 20 Reputation points
2025-11-04T15:53:17.63+00:00

My computer is bitlocked. When I enter the interface, a recovery ID is identified, but there are no bitlock recovery numbers attached to my device in any of my microsoft accounts. I have reached out to Microsoft and have not received service response. Please advise

Thanks!!

Windows for home | Other | Recovery and backup
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  1. EmilyS_726 12,485 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-11-05T01:38:37.04+00:00

    I wish I could share good news, but the truth is no one can get you the BitLocker key, including Microsoft staff/support.

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

    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.

    If you set it up with school or work account (such as signing into Microsoft 365 via org account), it is worth checking here as well https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey sign in with your work/school email credential in that case.

    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 crack it. Bitlocker means business. If it can be cracked, 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. I hate to share this kind of information, but I rather give you the correct info.

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  1. Jeric 7,920 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-04T18:15:57.5866667+00:00

    Hi Loren,

    Is your device company-issued or personally owned? If it’s managed by an organization (work or school), the BitLocker recovery key is often stored in their system, such as Azure Active Directory. In that case, your IT administrator should be able to retrieve it for you.

    If it is personal, try checking your recovery keys here https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey and sign in with any Microsoft accounts you’ve used on the device.

    Unfortunately, there is no backdoor or override for BitLocker. And Microsoft Support cannot generate a new key for you. Without the recovery key, the only option is to reformat the drive, which will erase all data.

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