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How to Unlock BitLocker Drive without Recovery Key And Password
In this guide, you'll discover how to unlock BitLocker without a password and recovery key if you've forgotten your password or misplaced your recovery key.
By Lucas / Updated on July 24, 2024
In the realm of data security, BitLocker is a robust encryption tool that safeguards sensitive information on hard drives. However, users may encounter situations where they have forgotten the password or lost access to the recovery key, rendering the data inaccessible. This comprehensive guide aims to assist such individuals by providing step-by-step instructions on how to regain access to BitLocker-encrypted drives or how to remove BitLocker encryption when the data is no longer needed.
Understanding BitLocker & encrypted data recovery
BitLocker employs a robust encryption method that secures data on a drive. When a user forgets the password or cannot locate the recovery key, they face a significant challenge in accessing the data. This section provides crucial insights into the workings of BitLocker and the intricacies of data recovery in such scenarios:
1. Inaccessibility of Encrypted Data: Users should be aware that without the password and recovery key, data recovery is virtually impossible.
2. Absence of a Recovery Key Generator: Each BitLocker-encrypted drive has a unique 48-bit recovery key that is generated at the time of encryption setup. There is no tool to generate a new key.
3. Persistence of Encryption Post-Formatting: Even after formatting a BitLocker drive, the data remains encrypted and cannot be decrypted without the password.
How to unlock BitLocker without password and recovery key
For users who wish to preserve the data on their BitLocker-encrypted drives, this section outlines various methods to recover the password or recovery key.
Method 1. Attempt common passwords
Even though BitLocker provides reminders to create a unique and strong password, some users still opt for common passwords or reuse familiar ones for the sake of convenience. If you happen to be in this situation, it would be helpful to remember all the passwords you have previously used to recover your BitLocker password.
Method 2. Locating the BitLocker Recovery Key
When setting up BitLocker, you are provided with various options to back up your recovery key. Options for saving your data include saving it to your Microsoft account, saving it to a USB flash drive, saving it to a file, or printing a recovery key. If, regrettably, you have forgotten your password, you can visit these locations to find BitLocker Recovery Key.
When encrypting a Windows drive with BitLocker, a text file will be displayed. You have a code called a "recovery key" saved on your PC. Retaining this code file is an essential measure in securing your drive, ensuring that in the event of a forgotten password, it can be easily located on your system through a straightforward search.
The BitLocker recovery key is stored in a file called BitLocker Recovery Key with a .BEK extension.
1. Accessing the file containing the recovery key is crucial for the effectiveness of this method.
2. If you're having trouble locating the code, you can try searching for a file named BitLocker recovery key.txt on your computer.
Method 3. Utilize the latest hacking technique
To carry out this new attack technique, it is imperative to have physical access to the BitLocker-encrypted drive. By hard-wiring the motherboard using a field programming gate array, one could potentially gain access to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip of the target computer and retrieve the BitLocker recovery key.
Method 4. Format BitLocker drive directly
If the data encrypted with BitLocker is not of great importance, you have the option to resolve the issue by formatting the drive. Here are three methods to format it.
▶ Option 1. Using a third-party tool to format your BitLocker drive
AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is a free tool that allows you to easily format the BitLocker drive with just a few clicks. This formatting method is incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for those who are new to the process. It doesn't require any technical expertise and offers timely reminders, making the formatting process effortless and straightforward.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Step 1. Install and fire up this great format tool.
Step 2. Locate the BitLocker drive that’ll be formatted, right-click it, and choose “Format Partition” in the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Select a proper file system for your drive and click “OK” (Here FAT32 is chosen).
PS: Partition Label is able to be added and Cluster Size is allowed to be adjusted in this window.
Step 4. Confirm the pending operation. Click “Apply”>“Proceed” to perform format.
▶ Option 2. Disabling Bitlocker encryption using Command Prompt
If you prefer, you have the option to use CMD (Command Prompt) to format the encrypted drive. To format a Bitlocker drive using CMD, you can easily accomplish this task by following these steps:
Step 1. Open the command prompt as an administrator.
Step 2. Type in the diskpart command. Press Enter to launch Diskpart.
Step 3. Input the specified commands into the Diskpart interface:
list disk
select disk X (Choose the correct disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition x
format quick fs=NTFS assign letter C
This command can format various storage devices such as BitLocker hard drives, external hard drives, USB flash drives, and more.
▶ Option 3. Format your BitLocker drive using File Explorer
To open File Explorer, simply press and hold the Windows key and the letter E on your keyboard.
Step 1. Click on "This PC" from your desktop and locate the BitLocker-encrypted drive.
Step 2. Right-click the encrypted drive and choose "Format."
Step 3. Tick the "Quick Format" box and determine the file system type and allocation unit size from the new pop-up window.
Step 4. Set a new name for the encrypted drive on the "Volume Label" box.
Step 5. Click "Start" to begin formatting the BitLocker encrypted drive.
Further tip: Try to retrieve lost BitLocker Recovery Key
Usually, we don’t suggest you format your BitLocker drive because you’ll lost data. And in general, when you lock your drive, the system will generate a txt. File for recovery key of the target BitLocker drive. You can decide where to save this file. So, it’s quite possible that you just accidentally deleted this file.
In this case, you can choose AOMEI FastRecovery. This tool can scan your lost data and allow you to safely recover all you need from your drive. All Windows PCs and Servers can rely on its powerful recovery function. You can easily recover lost data from SSD, HDD, SD card, USB and other devices.
If you find the recovery key txt. file, you can recover it and unlock your BitLocker drive. Also, if you have to format BitLocker drive to unlock it, this tool can also recover lost files from a formatted drive, you can still save your lost data.
Step 1. launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click on "Recover" from the top menu, then select "Recover Data".
Step 2. Choose the USB drive that contains the lost files and click "Start Scan".
Step 3. After the scanning process is complete, a list of all deleted files will be displayed. Tick the checkboxes next to the lost files you want to recover, then click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a destination path to save the recovered files.
Step 5. Once the recovery process is finished, navigate to the chosen path to locate and access your recovered files.
Conclusion
This guide has provided a detailed overview of strategies for unlocking bitlocker drive without recovery key and password. It is crucial to remember that data stored on a BitLocker-encrypted drive is effectively lost without the password or recovery key. If any data lost happens, you can trust AOMEI Partition Assistant to recover those data. In addition, AOMEI Partition Assistant also can help Windows Home users to employ BitLocker encryption.
FAQs about how to unlock BitLocker drive without recovery key and password
1. Is it possible to unlock BitLocker without password and recovery key?
A: Yes, it is possible to unlock a Bitlocker drive without the recovery key or your password, but it may require some additional steps and tools. There are a few methods you can try, depending on your specific situation and the configuration of your device. However, it's important to note that these methods may not always work, and it's always advisable to keep your recovery key and password safe to avoid data loss.
2. What if I don't have the recovery key either? Are there other options?
A.: In this case, you may still have a few options. If you are using a Microsoft account to sign in to your device, you can try to reset your password online. This will not directly unlock your Bitlocker drive, but it can give you access to your device and potentially reset your encryption settings. Additionally, if you have a local account, you can try booting your device into "Recovery Mode" and attempting a system restore to a point before the drive was locked.
3. How do I reset the BitLocker password?
A: You can try using BitLocker Recovery Assist if you have a Microsoft account associated with the device. If not, you might need to reinstall Windows, using the installation media, and create a new password during setup.
4. Are there any alternative methods for unlocking BitLocker?
A: If you have a Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise device, you can use BitLocker to Go, which allows you to unlock the drive using a USB drive with your recovery key. However, this requires a working USB connection and valid key.
5. How can I prevent this issue from happening again in the future?
A: The best way to prevent this issue is to ensure that you always have access to your recovery key and that it is stored in a safe place. You should also consider using a password manager to securely store your Bitlocker password and any other important login credentials. Additionally, backing up your data regularly will ensure that even in the worst-case scenario, you will still have access to your important files.
