Solved Bitlocker blocks user-profile-drive. Does not ask for key.

[stealf]

I seem to have pretty much the exact same problem as this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/261291-bitlocker-user-profile-drive-cannot-log.html

I cannot login and can only get into safe mode. If I go into safe mode and to Bitlocker and then select unlock drive and type the password it says The system cannot find the file specified.

I have the recovery key but what command line can I use?

 

[Brink]

Hello Stealf,

Are you getting the same user profile error as well?

If so, lets see if we can get that sorted first, and hopefully will also sort your BitLocker issue as well. The tutorial below can help walk you through this. Be sure to read all of it for all available options.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...-failed-logon-user-profile-cannot-loaded.html

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[stealf]

I am getting the same user profile error, yes. It's because the user profiles were on the D: and now encrypted. Stupid I know but I expected Bitlocker to kick in at that point and ask for the password or to not encrypt the user profile needed to login in the first place.

 

[Brink]

While in safe mode, if you are not already logged in to an administrator account, then see if you are able to enable the built-in Administrator account and log in to. You'll need to be logged in as an administrator to unlock the drive below.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html

OR

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/102552-built-administrator-enable-winre.html
​

Afterwards, see if you may be able to unlock the data drive using either option in the tutorial below.

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

 

[stealf]

Hi,

Getting somewhere. I'm in as the built in administrator but the password unlock method still says the system cannot find the file specified and if I try forgot password the enter recovery key button does nothing.

I'm starting to think Bitlocker is a bad idea.

I did notice that nothing is finding things. Typing CMD in the start menu finds nothing and trying to change the folder settings is displaying "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable"

It looks like some path is wrong. Perhaps a registry hack is in order?

What file is it trying to find but can't?

 

[Brink]

Hmm, ok.

See if using step 3 in the tutorial below using the BitLocker Repair Tool may be able to recover it to another drive or partition. If successful, then you could remove/change the drive letter of the encrypted partition/drive, and change the drive letter of the recovered drive to the letter used for the encrypted drive to hopefully have your user profiles back.

BitLocker Repair Tool - Recover Drive in Windows 7 and 8

 

[stealf]

Found another post with the same problem.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/193775-locked-out-w7-login-due-bitlocker.html

His method worked. All sorted

 

[Brink]

Which one worked for you in that thread?

Same as Option Two below?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ption-unlock-locked-data-removable-drive.html

 

[stealf]

I got in as the administrator following his instructions.

boot into safe mode with command prompt:
manage-bde X: -unlock -pw
(enter password)
manage-bde -off X:
(wait awhile)
manage-bde X: -status
(continue until you see drive fully decrypted. it will also tell you it status % while decrypting)

Once the drive was decrypted I changed the registry according to method 1 at You receive a "The User Profile Service failed the logon? error message

So I was right about it being a command line and then a registry hack

 

[Brink]

Great news.