[4 Ways] How to Backup BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10/11

What is BitLocker recovery key in Windows 10?

The BitLocker recovery key in Windows 10 is a 48-digit numerical key that serves as a backup access method for a BitLocker-encrypted drive. BitLocker is a security feature that encrypts your data to prevent unauthorized access, even if someone physically removes the drive from your computer.

When you enable BitLocker on a drive, it creates a recovery key in case you ever lose access to your encrypted data. This can happen if:

◉ You forget your BitLocker password.

◉ The system detects unauthorized attempts to access the drive.

◉ Changes are made to your hardware, such as replacing the motherboard or updating the BIOS.

If Windows prompts you for the recovery key, you need to provide it to unlock the drive and regain access to your files. The recovery key can be stored in various locations:

━ Saved to your Microsoft account: This is the most common option and allows you to retrieve the key online.

━ Printed on paper: You can print the recovery key and keep it in a safe place.

━ Saved to a USB drive: The key can be stored on a USB stick for easy access.

━ Saved as a file on another drive: The key can be stored as a text file on another drive or network location.

It's important to keep the recovery key safe and accessible because without it, you could permanently lose access to your encrypted data. But as time goes by, you may forget the save location or just simply lose it. Thus, it’s highly recommended to backup BitLocker recovery key Windows 10. Keep reading to know more.

4 Ways to backup BitLocker recovery key Windows 10

Way 1. Back up BitLocker recovery key in Control Panel

To create a copy of the BitLocker recovery key, the first method is to use Control Panel. It is easy to go.

Step 1. Type “bitlocker” in the search box and click Manage BitLocker in the search results list.

Step 2. When you get into the BitLocker Drive Encryption control panel, locate the drive you want to back up the BitLocker recovery key for, and then choose “Back up your recovery key” under it.

Step 3. In the next window, you will be asked how do you want to back up your recovery key, just choose the way you like. It’s good to create several backups of the recovery key. When everything is OK, click "Finish" to complete.

Way 2. Back up BitLocker recovery key with Command Prompt

The third method is to use a command-line utilization called Command Prompt. Since it requires typing commands, please do every step carefully.

Step 1. Type cmd in the search box as last method. Click Command Prompt in the extended menu and run it as administrator.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type manage-bde -protectors D: -get and hit Enter. All the key protectors for the drive will be presented in the window immediately, and you can see a 48-digit word at the end. That’s the recovery key. Copy and paste it into a notepad file or write it down on a piece of paper, and then keep it in a safe place.

Note: Replace D with the actual drive letter of the BitLocker drive you want to back up the recover key for.

As an alternative, type the command below and hit Enter. By doing this, you can export the BitLocker recovery key straight to a text file that is saved on your desktop.

manage-bde -protectors -get D: > %UserProfile%\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt

Way 3. Back up BitLocker recovery key using PowerShell

Another command-based tool is Windows PowerShell. Here is how to backup BitLocker recovery key PowerShell:

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu. This will open an elevated Windows PowerShell.

Step 2. Type the following command into the PowerShell windows and press Enter.

(Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint D).KeyProtector > $env:UserProfile\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt

Note: Replace D with the actual drive letter of the BitLocker drive you want to back up the recover key for.

Step 3. The BitLocker recovery key has been saved to a text file created on the desktop. You can copy it to another safe place.

Way 4. Back up BitLocker recovery key using third-party BitLocker manager

In addition to the above methods, resorting to a third-party tool is also a good approach. Here we recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, a comprehensive disk manager and BitLocker encryption tool and for all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7. Its “BitLocker” feature allows you to manage the encrypted drives better including BitLocker off/on, disk lock/unlock, password changes, and recovery key backup.

Follow the steps below to see how to backup BitLocker recovery key Windows 10/11 using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "BitLocker".

Step 2. Find the encrypted drive you would like to back up the recovery key and click the option "Back up recovery key".

Step 3. You will be asked to enter the password you set. Please enter the correct password and click the "Next" button.

Step 4. After you enter the correct password, there are 2 ways available to back up your recovery key: "Save to a file" and "Print the recovery key". Please select a way you prefer and then click the "Next" button.

If you select "Save to a file", you need to choose a location on your PC to save the recovery key. It will generate a TXT file with the name: Bitlocker Recovery Key + 45-bit Key.

In the generated TXT file, the recovery key is saved. The recovery key is important for you to manage the BitLocker. Please keep the TXT file and the recovery key in the file. If you select "Print the recovery key", it will enable the print function on your PC to print the recovery key.

Conclusion

If you have enable BitLocker encryption on your hard drive, it’s imperative to regularly backup BitLocker recovery key Windows 10 or Windows 11. As you can see, this post covers 4 easy and useful backup methods, you can select one based on your need. If you don’t have a backup before and forget it now, you can still find BitLocker recovery key back.