Windows 10: Bitlocker: What's the difference between Password and Recovery Key?

Today, I installed Windows 11 using a new disk. My disk has a partition for data. I had turned the BItlocker on it off. When I turned it on again, it asked me for a password or smart card to unlock the drive. I entered a password. Now I see both Password and Recovery Key in Control Panel:What are the differences between the Password and Recovery Key? Do I need both in order to decrypt should I need to move the drive to another PC?If I don't need both then why are there two different "keys" in the first place?

:)

 

bitlocker recovery key

Hi Singh,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

In order to get clarity on this issue and assist you with appropriate troubleshooting steps, please reply with the answers to the questions below.

1. Are you not able login to your computer due to BitLocker Recovery Key?
2. Did you ever setup BitLocker Recovery Key on your computer?
3. Are you not able to login to your Microsoft Account to find the BitLocker Recovery Key?
4. Are you using Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Professional?

Meanwhile, try finding BitLocker Recovery Key if you have ever setup BitLocker Recovery Key for your computer.

Please elaborate on the issue, so that we can understand the concern and get back to us to help you further.

 

Bitlock recovery to reset password

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble accessing your PC due to a forgotten password. In this situation, you can try using the BitLocker recovery key to reset your password. Here are the steps:

1. On the sign-in screen, click on "I forgot my password" or "Reset password."
   
2. On the next screen, enter your Microsoft account email address or phone number associated with your account.
   
3. You will be prompted to enter the recovery key. Copy and paste the BitLocker Recovery Key from your Microsoft account page where your device is listed under "Devices."
   
4. Once you have entered the recovery key, follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
   

If you don't have access to the BitLocker recovery key or if it doesn't work, you can try using the Windows installation media to reset your password. Here are the steps:

1. Create a Windows installation media (such as a bootable USB drive or DVD) on another working PC using the Media Creation Tool provided by Microsoft.
   
2. Insert the installation media into your locked PC and restart it.
   
3. Press the necessary key to access the boot menu or BIOS setup, and select the installation media as the boot device.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.
   
5. When you reach the screen where you're prompted to select the partition to install Windows, click on "Repair your computer" instead.
   
6. Select "Troubleshoot" and then "Reset this PC" or "Advanced options" and then "Command Prompt."
   
7. In the Command Prompt, type the following command to reset the password for the local user account: net user [username] [newpassword], where [username] is the name of the locked account and [newpassword] is the new password you want to use.
   
8. Restart your PC and sign in with the new password.
   

I hope this helps you regain access to your PC. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Regards

Shuaib

 

Lost bitlocker recovery key

I have lost my bitlocker recovery key and tried following the recovery steps. I have also searched and tried following the command prompts suggested but none have worked.