Windows 7: BitLocker Drive Encryption - Unlock a Locked OS Drive

   Information

This will show you how to unlock a computer that the drive Windows 7 is installed on was locked by BitLocker Drive Encryption, and now cannot be accessed.

   Note

If the drive that Windows is installed on (the operating system drive) is encrypted by BitLocker Drive Encryption, it can become locked by BitLocker and require the use of the recovery key in the following situations:

• The computer is working, but BitLocker has detected a possible security risk during startup.
• The computer is working, but you lost the BitLocker startup key (USB flash drive) or PIN, or the startup key is damaged.
• The computer isn't working (for example, a power supply problem), and you have transferred its hard disk to a different computer.

If your computer is part of a domain, some BitLocker features and settings can be controlled by your system administrator.

Assistive technology software that runs on Windows, such as screen reading software, cannot read BitLocker startup screens because they are displayed during BIOS startup and before Windows runs. This includes screens used when you type a PIN or recovery key, and any BitLocker error messages.

   Warning

To be able to unlock the Windows 7 drive and regain access to your files, you must have the BitLocker recovery key for it.

You should have a copy of the BitLocker recovery key if you did what was recommended in step 13 of OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to either duplicate the startup key to a backup USB flash drive, save and print recovery key again, or write down the recovery key somewhere for safe keeping.

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Windows 7 Drive - Turn On or Off with no TPM

OPTION ONE

To Unlock the OS Drive on Original Computer

1. When you start the computer, BitLocker will interrupt startup and display a message informing you that the system drive is locked. (see screenshot below)

2. Locate the BitLocker recovery key (see screenshot below) for this drive, and then press ENTER. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you happen to have a duplicate USB flash drive (startup key) that you could use instead, then connect it now, and press the ESC key to restart the computer to unlock the OS drive as usual.

3. Type in the BitLocker recovery key as shown in the screenshot below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

4. If successful, you will now begin to start Windows 7 and have access to the OS drive again until you log off or restart the computer next.

OPTION TWO

To Unlock the OS Drive on a Different Computer

1. Shut down both computers.

2. Remove the drive from the computer that isn't working and install (connect) it in the other (host) computer running either Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise.

3. Start the host computer and log on to an administrator account.

4. Open the Computer window, right click on the transferred drive, and click on Unlock Drive.
NOTE: You could also open BitLocker Drive Encryption in the Control Panel (icons view) to click on Unlock Drive for the transferred drive.

5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what option you would like to use to unlock the drive with.

6. To Use the USB Flash Drive that Contains the Recovery Key to Unlock this Drive

A) Connect the USB flash drive that contains the startup and recovery key for this drive.

B) Click on Get the key from a USB flash drive. (see top screenshot below step 7A)

C) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

D) Select the USB flash drive, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

E) Go to step 8.

7. To Enter the "BitLocker Recovery Key" to Unlock this Drive
NOTE: This step is for if you lost or damaged the startup key (USB flash drive) for this drive.

A) Using the provided "recovery key ID" number in the screenshot below, locate the BitLocker recovery key for this drive, and then click on Type the recovery key. (see screenshots below)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C)Type in the long BitLocker recovery key number, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

D) Continue on to step 8.

8. Click on Finish. (see screenshot below)

   Tip

While unlocked, it would be a good idea to click on Manage BitLocker to create a duplicate startup key (USB flash drive), decrypt the drive, and/or copy what you want from the drive to another location.

9. The transferred drive will now be unlocked, and you will have access to it again until you log off or restart the computer next.