BitLocker Drive Encryption - Unlock a Locked OS Drive

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

   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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...cryption-windows-7-drive-turn-off-no-tpm.html

OPTION ONE

To Unlock the OS Drive on Original Computer

NOTE: This option is for when you are still able to power up the computer that the OS drive is locked on, and to enter the BitLocker recovery key to unlock it and be able to start Windows 7 afterwards.
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

NOTE: This option is for when you are not able to power up the original computer that the OS (Windows 7) drive is locked on, and will connect it to another working Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise computer to gain access to it again.
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.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Unlock a Data or Removable Drive Locked by BitLocker Drive Encryption
• How to Use BitLocker Repair Tool to Recover a Drive in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Turn BitLocker On or Off without a TPM for Windows 7 Drive
• How to Suspend or Resume BitLocker Protection on Windows 7 Drive
• How to Create a Windows 7 BitLocker Drive Encryption Shortcut
• How to Check BitLocker Status of Drive in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[Ankit26]

Hey friends,

Seven forum is really my last hope. I had locked my 1 TB harddisk more than 1 yr back with BitLocker drive. And I have recovery key generated after encryption (but I would like to tell that at that time encryption could get complete only uptill 47%). Everything was going on very well and recovery key as well. But suddenly from last 3 days, the BitLocker drive is not accepting the key...if I type it, it declares it wrong (I have checked it 100 times, it IS right)and says recovery error, type it again.Also if I try to copy recovery key from a USB drive, it says there is no recovery key in USB drive........I dont know what to do. I have very imp documents in it. Also, I have recovery key which should be sufficient to unlock it. It has been responding in the same way in other computers as well. Help me.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ankit, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Does the identification number given in the wizard match with the recovery key .txt file on the USB flash drive like in the screenshots under steps 7A in Option Two?

 

[Ankit26]

Hello Ankit, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Does the identification number given in the wizard match with the recovery key .txt file on the USB flash drive like in the screenshots under steps 7A in Option Two?

Thanks for replying. I think u meant recovery key identification. Yes it matches completely. Infact I had been using same .txt file for more than a year to open my HD in other desktops.

Brink, Is there any solution to the problem I mentioned above ???

 

[Brink]

You might see if you may be able to recover the BitLocker drive using the method in the tutorial below. Be sure to read all of the information at the top of the tutorial for important requirements.

BitLocker Repair Tool - Recover Drive in Windows 7 and 8

 

[Ankit11]

when i am installing windows 7 enterprise os in my laptop,
After installation complete my other drive is encrypted with bitlocker.
i dont have any key, it is showing only Key id
how i am going to recover my data.
Please help..................

 

[Brink]

Hello Ankit,

Without a password or recovery key, there is no access to recover the data. That's how BitLocker is designed to protect your data. If all else fails, you could format the drive to be able to use it again, but you will lose all data on it.

 

[fahadbaig]

i have changed my laptop windows 10 to 8.1 pro 64 bit now my drive is encrypted through bit locker now i entered correct password and recovery key but not accepted. plzz help data is very important.!!!!

 

[Brink]

Hello fahadbaig, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if you may be able to use a method in the tutorial below to recover your BitLocker encrypted drive.

BitLocker Repair Tool - Recover Drive in Windows 7 and 8

 

[fahadbaig]

when i give command for recovery key after all data processing nothing happens only this is shown and no single bit of my data is decrypted to new volume na d now im using windows 10. plz help what should i do now.

 

[Brink]

Hello fahadbaig,

It appears that you are not using the correct password or recovery key for that drive.

 

[fahadbaig]

i have entered exactly the same recovery key which matches the identifier code

 

[fahadbaig]

after running that recovery command my drive is status is this whats this means now

 

[Brink]

From your screenshot, it looks like it may be a permissions issue instead.

As a test, use the tutorial below to add a "Take Ownership" context menu, then take ownership of the E: drive to see if that may allow you to be able to access it afterwards.

Take Ownership - Add to Context Menu in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums