Windows 10: Windows 11 April 2026 Update KB5083769 Is Triggering BitLocker Recovery Screens on Some PCs

Microsoft has confirmed that the April 2026 security update for Windows 11, KB5083769, released on April 14, is causing some devices to boot directly into the BitLocker recovery screen instead of the desktop. Affected users need to enter their BitLocker recovery key before the system can start normally.

Microsoft says this is a one-time issue and that future restarts should proceed normally once the key is entered. The problem appears to affect only devices with a specific combination of BitLocker and Secure Boot settings, and most users installing the update are not affected.

What Triggers the Issue


The BitLocker recovery prompt appears on a device when several conditions are met:

• BitLocker is enabled on the operating system drive, the Group Policy setting for configuring the TPM platform validation profile includes PCR7 in the validation profile
• System Information shows "Secure Boot State PCR7 Binding" as "Not Possible." Additionally, the UEFI CA 2023 certificate must be present in the Secure Boot Signature Database, and the device should not already be running the 2023-signed Windows Boot Manager

Microsoft considers this an "unrecommended" BitLocker configuration that can trigger this behavior.

How to Recover if Your PC Boots to BitLocker Recovery


Users already at the BitLocker recovery screen need their recovery key to continue. They can find the key in their Microsoft account on a separate device by matching the PC name and Key ID shown on the recovery screen.

Once the key is entered and the user clicks "continue", the system will boot to the desktop and will not ask for the key again on subsequent restarts.

How to Prevent It Before Installing KB5083769


Users who haven't yet installed KB5083769 and want to avoid the recovery prompt can proactively reset the Group Policy configuration. To do this, open the Group Policy Editor by searching for 'gpedit' in the Start menu.

Then, navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Operating System Drives.

Right-click on "Configure TPM platform validation profile for native UEFI firmware configurations" and select Edit.

Change the setting to Not configured, then click Apply and OK. Next, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the necessary commands. manage-bde -protectors -enable C:

This process rebinds BitLocker to the default PCR profile and prevents the recovery screen from appearing after the update is installed.

Commercial users who cannot modify Group Policy settings can contact Microsoft for a Known Issue Rollback update, which can undo the faulty configuration.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 11 April 2026 Update KB5083769 Is Triggering BitLocker Recovery Screens on Some PCs appeared first on gHacks.

read more...

 

Bitlocker Recovery triggered by Windows update

My HP Envy laptop did a windows update last night and today it is asking for the Bitlocker Recovery key.

I have checked the recovery key stored on my microsoft account and it is not the right one. I don't understand how this can be as this is the only laptop/PC that I have ever owned that has Bitlocker on it. So I have no idea what the key listed there is because it is not the one for my HP (and I tried it anyway and got the response "that is not the correct key").

I did not enable Bitlocker on this PC - it must have been activated already when I bought it. So I have not had any indication that I should save the key somewhere. In fact I did not even know that Bitlocker was enabled.

I have tried selecting the 'reset my PC' options on boot, both with the 'save my files' and the 'delete everything' options and both of them come back and say it can't be done.

Microsoft, with this update and the failure to save the Bitlocker recovery key on my microsoft account, has effectively bricked this PC. It's less than 2 years old and cost £1000.

What am I supposed to do now?

 

Automatic windows update with BIOS update triggered bitlocker

Hello Debra Delacroix,

thank you for posting on the Microsoft Community Forums.

An automatic BIOS update during a Windows update can potentially enable BitLocker or trigger a BitLocker recovery if certain conditions are met. This is especially likely if the update changes hardware configurations or settings that BitLocker monitors to ensure system integrity. Here are a few steps you can follow given your situation:

Step 1: Verify BitLocker Status.



1. Access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

- Power on your computer and as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold down the power button to force shutdown. Repeat this process 2-3 times until you see the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen.

- After diagnosis, go to "Advanced options."



2. Use Command Prompt in WinRE；

- Navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt."

- In Command Prompt, type the following command to check the BitLocker status:

This will show whether BitLocker is indeed enabled and on which drives.

Step 2: Look for the Recovery Key in Alternate Locations.

You need to follow the steps in Finding your BitLocker recovery key in Windows - Microsoft Support to find it out.

Important:

• If you are unable to locate the BitLocker recovery key and can't revert any configuration change that might have caused it to be required, you’ll need to reset your device using one of the Windows recovery options. Resetting your device will remove all of your files.
  
• Microsoft support is unable to provide, or recreate, a lost BitLocker recovery key.
  

Step 3: Change BIOS/UEFI Settings.

1. Disable TPM:

- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, F12, Del, or Esc during startup).

- Navigate to the security settings and look for TPM (Trusted Platform Module).

- Disable TPM and save changes, then restart your computer.

Step 4: Other Options.

1. Safe Mode:

- Attempt to boot into Safe Mode by holding the Shift key and selecting Restart from the power menu. If you can access Safe Mode, there might be administrative tools to disable BitLocker.



2. Try Automated Recovery:

- In the WinRE, go to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Repair." Follow the prompts to see if Windows can fix the startup issue automatically.

Final Option: Clean Installation.

If no recovery key is found and you cannot disable BitLocker, performing a clean installation of Windows might be your last resort.

Regards,

Lei

 

recovery bitlocker blue screen

Hi Rick,

Please follow the suggestions below and check if you are able to boot to your desktop.

• Places to look for your BitLocker key:
  • On a printout you saved. Look in places you keep important papers.
    
  • Saved on a USB flash drive. Plug the USB flash drive into your locked PC and follow the instructions. If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file.
  • In your Microsoft account. To get your recovery key, go to
    BitLocker Recovery Keys.

• Or ask someone for help:
  • Ask someone with administrator privileges on the same PC to unlock it with their key.
  • If your PC is connected to a domain (usually a work or school computer), ask a system administrator for your recovery key

Hope this helps in resolving the bitlocker recovery keys. Keep us posted on the bitlocker recovery key issues. We are happy to help!