In addition, BitLocker’s host operating system, Microsoft Windows, provides an algorithm for generating random numbers, including encryption keys, that is known to have been backdoored by government spies, and which the company’s own engineers flagged as potentially compromised nearly eight years ago.
For example, BitLocker’s source code is not available for inspection, which makes it particularly vulnerable to “backdoors,” security holes intentionally placed to provide access to the government or others. This advice generated an immediate backlash in the comments section underneath the post, where readers correctly pointed out that BitLocker has been criticized by security experts for a number of real and potential shortcomings.
For the benefit of Windows users, I gave instructions for turning on BitLocker, Microsoft’s disk encryption technology.
This is an effective method, but you still need to unlock the BitLocker container prior to running the data recovery software.įollow the steps below to recover/export BitLocker-protected data and files with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.Recently, I wrote a guide explaining how to encrypt your laptop’s hard drive and why you should do so. This powerful tool can access files in the BitLocker containers and restore data from an encrypted drive.
One such tool is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. There are data recovery tools available that can extract data from encrypted BitLocker containers. Manage-bde-ComputerName-forcerecovery Bonus Tips - Recover Data from Encrypted Bitlocker Drive
If you are lucky enough, you may input the correct password and unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive.Īlso read: How to Disable Bitlocker in Windows 10 5. Relax and input passwords that you may have used in the past. Although BitLocker asks users to create unique, strong passwords, many users still use simple words or phrases to protect their data and user accounts. You can access the BitLocker drive with the usual password. If you can't remember the password, what can you do? There are some critical data stored on the drive that you absolutely have to be able to access.
If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file.
Plug the USB flash drive into your encrypted PC and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you have saved the key on a USB flash drive or you have printed your recovery key when BitLocker was activated, you can check your USB drive or printout. If you run BitLocker encryption as administrator, or your device is connected to a domain, you can run as administrator or ask a system administrator for your recovery key.Īlso read: Unlock a Folder Without Password 3. If the device was set up or BitLocker protection was activated by another user, the recovery key may be in that user’s Microsoft account. If you have a modern device that supports automatic device encryption, the recovery key will most likely be in your Microsoft account. Sign in to your Microsoft account on another device to find your recovery key. Where can you restore the recovery key? There are several places that your recovery key maybe, depending on the choice that was made when activating BitLocker. You haven't used this PC for a long time and you forget the recovery key. What if you have a computer with BitLocker encryption. Where to Find My Lost BitLocker Password/Recovery Key During the encryption process, BitLocker could ensure that a recovery key was safely backed up prior to activating protection. Your BitLocker recovery key is a unique 48-digit numerical password. Windows 11/10/8/7 requires a BitLocker recovery key when it detects a possible unauthorized attempt to access the data. It is the built-in 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 it. When you are trying to password protect or encrypt a drive, folder, or file, you must know BitLocker. Everything About My BitLocker Recovery Key