Windows 10: Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows

How to: Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows

How to Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows


Information If you unlock the OS drive at startup with a USB flash drive, a startup key (encryption key) for this OS drive is saved to the USB flash drive.

If the USB flash drive with the startup key saved on it is not connected at startup, the user is prompted to insert the USB flash drive that holds the startup key and reboot the computer.




It is recommended to save a copy of the startup key to another USB flash drive to have as a backup.

You can save a copy of the PC's OS drive startup key on multiple USB flash drives.

You can save BitLocker startup keys for different computers OS drives on the same USB flash drive.

This tutorial will show you how to save a copy of the BitLocker startup key for an OS drive in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to copy the BitLocker startup key.


Note For Windows 7, BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise editions.

For Windows 8/8.1, BitLocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

For Windows 10, editions.

CONTENTS:

• Option One: Find BitLocker Startup Key File Name of OS Drive on a PC
• Option Two: Copy BitLocker Startup Key of OS Drive to USB Flash Drive in Control Panel
• Option Three: Copy BitLocker Startup Key of OS Drive to any Location in File Explorer

EXAMPLE: Startup key on USB flash drive









OPTION ONE [/i] Find BitLocker Startup Key File Name of OS Drive on a PC
1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type the command below in the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow manage-bde -protectors -get <drive letter>:



Note Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter (ex: "C") of the OS drive you want to copy its startup key.

For example: manage-bde -protectors -get C:

3. Look for the External Key File Name (ex: "CFB586D0-6A39-422E-B232-1BE2EDDFA0D6.BEK") under the External Key section. This will be the file name of the startup key for the OS drive on this PC. You would look for this file name on the USB flash drive.









OPTION TWO [/i] Copy BitLocker Startup Key of OS Drive to USB Flash Drive in Control Panel
1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.

2. Click/tap on the Copy startup key link for the Operating system drive you want. (see screenshot below)



3. Connect the USB flash drive you want to save the startup key on, select the USB flash drive, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)



4. You can now close the Control Panel if you like.





OPTION THREE [/i] Manually Copy BitLocker Startup Key of OS Drive to any Location in File Explorer
1. If needed, find the startup key file name (ex: "CFB586D0-6A39-422E-B232-1BE2EDDFA0D6.BEK") for the OS drive from Option One above to make sure you know the correct startup key to save a copy of.

2. In Folder Options, select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and uncheck the Hide protected operating system files box, and click/tap on OK to be able to see the startup key on the USB flash drive. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow How to Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 10




3. Connect the USB flash drive that contains the startup key for the OS drive.

4. Open this USB flash drive in File Explorer.

5. You can now copy and paste the startup key file (ex: "CFB586D0-6A39-422E-B232-1BE2EDDFA0D6.BEK") to where you want to save it as a backup. (see screenshot below)



6. In Folder Options, select (dot) Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives, and check the Hide protected operating system files box, and click/tap on OK to be able to see the startup key on the USB flash drive. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow How to Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 10





That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Turn On or Off BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 10
• How to Backup BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Windows 10
• How to Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10
• How to Unlock an OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10
• How to Use BitLocker Repair Tool to Recover Encrypted Drive in Windows

:)

 

BitLocker Security concerns

Try:
How to Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows

Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows | Windows 10 Tutorials

 

BitLocker Encrypted Hard Drive to MAC

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me help you.



I suggest you to perform below mentioned steps to disable BitLocker.

To disable BitLocker I would suggest you try the following steps and see if it helps.

• 
  Press Windows key + X and click on
  Control Panel.
  
• 
  Change View by from Category
  to Large Icons/Small Icons.
  
• 
  Click on BitLocker Drive Encryption and click on
  Turn BitLocker Off.
  
• 
  Follow on screen instructions. Click on Decrypt the Drive
  when the message appears.
  

I would suggest you click on the link below and refer the following article.

Scenario 12: Turning Off BitLocker Drive Encryption (Windows 7)

Scenario 12: Turning Off BitLocker Drive Encryption (Windows 7)

(You can refer the steps in the above link as they are applicable for Windows 10 as well)



Check if it helps.



I hope the information helps. Please keep us posted on the issue. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Thank you.

 

bitlocker drive encryption recovery key error

"Find my BitLocker recovery key"

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...b-aa71c00ea55e/find-my-bitlocker-recovery-key

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

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Unlock a Locked Data or Removable Drive - Windows 7 Help Forums

If none of that helps you, the Data is lost.

Cheers.

 

Bitlocker Drive Encryption(Not Responding) at 84.5%

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

We understand your concern, as you are trying to encrypt the complete hard drive with BitLocker Drive Encryption and now it’s not responding as well.



We would suggest you to refer this
BitLocker: Use BitLocker Drive Encryption Tools to manage BitLocker article and check manage-bde section, if that helps to make the changes.



However, for further queries we would suggest you to post your query in

TechNet forums, where we have experts and support professionals who are well equipped with the knowledge on BitLocker to assist you with the appropriate troubleshooting steps.



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Changing the BitLocker Recovery Key on an Already Encrypted OS drive?


Is there a way I can change the BitLocker recovery key to a new one on my encrypted OS drive?

Do I need to first Suspend BitLocker to do so?

Is there a tutorial on this here?

Thanks