Windows 10: BitLocker Drive Encryption Recovery Key Missing After Windows 11 Update

I've run into a really frustrating issue with my Windows 11 device after a recent update. My main drive is encrypted using BitLocker, and out of nowhere, it's asking me for the BitLocker recovery key to unlock it. The worst part? I can't find the recovery key anywhere.Here's what's happening:Whenever I try to access the drive, I get the message: "Enter the recovery key for this drive. This key is used to unlock the encrypted drive after an unexpected event."I've checked my Microsoft account for the recovery key, but it's not there.I tried booting into Safe Mode to see if I could bypass the enc

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BitLocker Drive Encryption recovery key

BitLocker Drive Encryption recovery key

 

bitlocker drive encryption recovery key error

"Find my BitLocker recovery key"

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...b-aa71c00ea55e/find-my-bitlocker-recovery-key

How to Unlock a Windows 7 Computer Locked by BitLocker Drive Encryption

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ption-unlock-locked-data-removable-drive.html

If none of that helps you, the Data is lost.

Cheers.

 

External USB HDD drive bitlocker encrypted without a key

Hello CatchyWater7200,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.

I am aware that you're having trouble accessing your external USB disk drive that has been encrypted by BitLocker. I am here to help. Allow me to ask a question.

• Would you mind sharing what exactly the message shows when ask for the USB key?
  

Your drive appears to have been encrypted using BitLocker, a function that guards your data against illegal access. For access to the drive, BitLocker requires a password or recovery key. Since you don't have a BitLocker USB key, you can try using the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the drive. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Connect the external USB disk drive to your Surface Pro 6.
   
2. When prompted to enter the BitLocker key, click on "More options". Or you can enter "Esc" key or the Windows key to continue.
   
3. Click on "Enter recovery key".
   
4. Enter the BitLocker recovery key that you found on your Microsoft account.
   
5. Click on "Unlock".
   

If the above steps don't work, you can try disabling BitLocker on the external USB disk drive. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Connect the external USB disk drive to your Surface Pro 6.
   
2. Open File Explorer and right-click on the external USB disk drive.
   
3. Click on "Manage BitLocker".
   
4. Click on "Turn off BitLocker".
   
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to disable BitLocker on the external USB disk drive.
   

Please note that disabling BitLocker will remove the encryption from the external USB disk drive and make it less secure. Therefore, it's recommended to re-enable BitLocker once you've accessed your files and photos.

Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Lavenia