Windows 10: No BitLocker Recovery Key prompt when Secure Boot was Disabled

I went into my UEFI settings to disable Secure Boot as I needed to test some programs and when rebooting my laptop, it went directly to the Windows logon screen without asking for the BitLocker Recovery key. Is this normal?

:)

 

Prompt for BitLocker key

Hi Timothy,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community forums.

I understand that it can be difficult when your own computer is inaccessible due to some changes that could have happened. However, let's try a few troubleshooting steps and see if we can access the drive.

• Are you aware of any changes that happened on the computer prior to this issue?
  
• Did you setup a BitLocker on your device before?
  

If you’ve not setup the BitLocker and it’s still prompting for the key,
you may try to locate the BitLocker key on your Microsoft account, which will help you access the drive. Refer
Find my BitLocker recovery key to
know how to find the BitLocker recovery key.

If no recovery key is found, you may enable the secure boot setting from BIOS and check if you can access the drive.

• Power off the device and then power it on.
  
• Look for a message on the boot screen just before or after the manufacturer logo appears. You may need to press the
  ‘F1’,’F2’, or
  ‘Delete’button, whatever key is indicated on the boot screen to enter BIOS Settings.
  
• Within BIOS, choose the tab ‘BOOT’.
  

Note: Depending on the BIOS manufacturer this page could be
BOOT, ADVANCED, STARTUP etc.

• Look for a setting called
  ‘UEFI Secure Boot’ and toggle the Secure Boot setting to
  ‘Enabled’.
  

Note: Each BIOS could have a different name for
UEFI Secure Boot. These are the keywords to look for:
‘UEFI’, ‘Secure Boot’,‘Legacy Boot’.

• Restart the machine now to see if you can access the drive.
  

Note:

Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting
from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

Regards,

 

Asking for Bitlocker recovery key on login


So I was playing with BIOS settings for reformatting my laptop and reinstalling Windows using bootable USB drive. I didn't succeed and I probably did something stupid. Now I'm not able to login into my laptop. It's asking me for bitlocker recovery key on both disabled and enabled settings of secure boot.

On "Enabled" setting, it says "Bitlocker needs your recovery key to unlock your drive because Secure Boot policy has unexpectedly changed."




On "Disabled" setting, it says "Bitlocker needs your recovery key to unlock your drive because Secure Boot has been disabled. Either Secure Boot must be re-enabled, or Bitlocker must be suspended for Windows to start normally."




I don't have a recovery key. I don't remember setting one. I even searched for it in my Microsoft account. My device (ASUS X205TA) is listed but the recovery key is not.

Note that I don't have any useful data in the laptop, so I'd be fine with reinstalling windows even if I loose all the data. I just want to be able to use my laptop again.

 

Prompt for Bitlocker key after uninstalling updates - Windows 10

Hi Joe,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

I understand that it can be difficult when your own computer is inaccessible due to some changes that could have happened. However, let's try a few troubleshooting steps and see if we can access the drive.

• Is the BitLocker Recovery key that you found, valid?
• If yes, what exactly happens when you enter the key?

If it's not a valid key, you may try to locate the BitLocker key on your Microsoft account, which will help you access the drive. Refer
Find my BitLocker recovery key
to know how to find the BitLocker recovery key.

If no recovery key is found, enable the secure boot setting from BIOS and see if you can access the drive.

• Power off the device and then power it on.
• Look for a message on the boot screen just before or after the manufacturer logo appears. You may need to press the
  'F1','F2', or 'Delete' button, whatever key is indicated on the boot screen to enter BIOS Settings.
• Within BIOS, choose the tab 'BOOT'.
  
  (Note: Depending on the BIOS manufacturer this page could be
  BOOT, ADVANCED, STARTUP etc.)
  

• Look for a setting called 'UEFI Secure Boot' and toggle the Secure Boot setting to
  'Enabled'.
  
  (Note: Each BIOS could have a different name for UEFI Secure Boot. These are the keywords to look for:
  'UEFI', 'Secure Boot', 'Legacy Boot'.)
  

Restart the machine now.

Note:

Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings
can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

If the key is valid, try the troubleshooting steps listed in
BitLocker
Troubleshooting: Continuous reboot loop with BitLocker recovery.

Regards,