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Partition has Bitlocker encryption

Widura Demion 0 Reputation points
2025-06-05T11:44:58.73+00:00

I replaced a new HDD and installed Windows 11. Now my old partition requires a BitLocker key, but I only have a BitLocker ID. How can I find an unlock key using that BitLocker ID? Please help me get my valuable data from my old HDD

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | System management components
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  1. Brian Huynh (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 540 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-07-21T05:51:42.4766667+00:00

    Hello, I'm happy to help you walk through the process of finding your BitLocker recovery key. 

    It's important to clarify the difference between the two pieces of information you have: 

    • BitLocker Recovery Key ID: This is a pointer or a label that helps you identify the correct key. It is not the unlock key itself. 
    • BitLocker Recovery Key: This is the actual 48-digit numerical password that can unlock your drive. 

    You need to use the Key ID to find the matching 48-digit Recovery Key in the location where you originally saved it. When BitLocker was enabled on your old drive, Windows would have prompted you to save the recovery key. Here are the most common places to look for it, using the Key ID you must confirm you've found the right one. 

    1. Your Microsoft Account (Most Common) 

    Go to the following link: https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey 

    • Sign in with the same Microsoft account that you used on your old Windows installation.  
    • Once signed in, you will see a list of recovery keys associated with your account. Match the Key ID from the list to the one requested by your locked drive to find the correct 48-digit Recovery Key. 

    2. Saved to a File on a USB Drive or Cloud Storage 

    The default filename is BitLocker Recovery Key [Key ID].txt. 

    • Check any USB flash drives you might have used during your old computer setup. 
    • Search your cloud storage accounts (like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) for a file named "BitLocker" or the Key ID. 

    3. Saved in a Work/School Account (Azure AD) 

    If this is a work or school device that was connected to a domain, the key may be stored in your organization's Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). 

    • You need to contact your IT department or system administrator for help. 
    • Provide them with your Key ID, and they can look up the corresponding recovery key for you. 

    Unfortunately, if the recovery key cannot be found in any of the locations mentioned above, there is no other way to unlock the drive. BitLocker encryption is designed to be secure against unauthorized access, and without the key, the data is considered permanently inaccessible. Microsoft support cannot bypass the encryption or provide a lost key. 

    Best regards, 

    Brian Huynh 

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