Table of contents
What is BitLocker encryption?
BitLocker is Windows encryption technology that protects your data from unauthorized access by encrypting your drive and requiring one or more factors of authentication before it will unlock via BitLocker Recovery Mode.
What triggers BitLocker recovery mode?
- Moving the BitLocker-protected drive to a different system.
- Upgrading the motherboard to a new one with a new TPM.
- Changing to the master boot record (MBR) on the disk.
- Clearing the TPM Password.
What happens when your Windows device is in BitLocker recovery mode?
If BitLocker Recovery Mode is triggered on your device, you will see the BitLocker recovery screen and you will not be able to proceed any further until you have recovered the BitLocker key.
Recover BitLocker key
In order to recover the BitLocker key from your device, an Intune administrator from your department would have had to configure you as the primary user on the device. The following directions will work for the single user who is assigned as the primary user. If you are attempting to recover the key from a shared device or don't believe the configuration was completed correctly after following these directions, please reach out to your local college or department IT support team. If you receive support directly from DIT, please contact it-desktop@umd.edu for further assistance.
- Copy the Recovery key ID contained at the bottom of the BitLocker recovery screen.
- Go to https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list.
- Find the device you're trying to recover in the list. If your device isn't in the list, please contact your local IT support team for assistance recovering the key.
- Select the device.
- Select the "View BitLocker Keys" button.
- Another frame will open on the right with a list of available recovery keys. Find the corresponding key ID from step 1. It will almost always be the first one in the list, as that is the latest one that has been synced from your device.
- A pop-up will appear with the BitLocker recovery key. This is what is needed for input on the device you're trying to recover.
- Enter the BitLocker Recovery Key in the field on the device you're trying to recover.