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Find your BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Applies to Windows 11, Windows 10 · 5 min · Beginner
Checked against Microsoft's documentation on 3 Oct 2026

In short

  • The recovery key is a 48-digit number; the first 8 digits of the key ID on the recovery screen tell you which key to use1.
  • On a personal PC, sign in at https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey from another device; the key may be in the account of whoever set up the PC1.
  • On a work or school PC, go to https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey, select Devices, expand your device and select View BitLocker Keys1.
  • Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, the recovery screen shows a hint of the Microsoft account that holds the key1.
  • Microsoft Support can't retrieve, provide or recreate a lost key; without it you may have to reset the PC, which removes all your files1.

To find your BitLocker recovery key, first write down the first 8 digits of the key ID on the recovery screen1. Then, on another device, sign in at aka.ms/myrecoverykey with your Microsoft account1. For a work or school PC, use aka.ms/aadrecoverykey or ask your IT department1. Also check printouts and USB flash drives1. Microsoft Support can't recover a lost key1.

Before you start

BitLocker asks for the recovery key when it can't unlock the drive on its own1. This can happen at startup after a hardware change or a security risk1. Common triggers include a BIOS or UEFI firmware upgrade, changes to the TPM, and moving the drive to a new computer3.

You need a second device, such as a phone or another computer, to look up the key online1. Microsoft Support can't retrieve, provide or recreate a lost key1. Don't reset the PC until you have checked every place below, because a reset removes all your files1.

Steps

  1. Note the recovery key ID. On the BitLocker recovery screen, write down the first 8 digits of the recovery key ID1. They tell you which key to use if you have more than one1.
  2. Check your Microsoft account. On another device, go to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey and sign in1. Find the key with the matching ID and type that key on the locked PC1. Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, the recovery screen shows a hint of the Microsoft account linked to the key1.
  3. Check the account of whoever set up the PC. If someone else set up the device or turned on BitLocker, the key may be in their Microsoft account1. Ask them to sign in at the same address.
  4. Check your work or school account. Go to https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey and sign in1. Select Devices, expand your device, select View BitLocker Keys, and match the key ID1.
  5. Look for a printout. Check where you keep important papers1. The key ID and the recovery key are printed together1.
  6. Try a USB flash drive. Plug the drive into the locked PC and follow the instructions on screen1. If the key is saved as a text file, open it on a different device and read it there1.
  7. Ask your IT department. If an organization manages the PC, contact its IT support1. Organizations can store keys in Microsoft Entra ID or Active Directory, and the help desk can be given access to them3.

Check it worked

Type the 48-digit key on the recovery screen1. Once the key is accepted, you can start Windows normally or open the Windows RE troubleshooting tools3.

When Windows is running again, back up the key for next time. Open Start, type BitLocker, and select Manage BitLocker2. Select Back up your recovery key next to the drive, choose where to save it, and select Finish2. The choices are Save to your Microsoft Account, Save to a USB flash drive, Save to a file and Print the recovery key2. On a work or school device, the first choice may read Save to your Azure AD account2.

Common problems

  • Your account lists more than one key. Use the key whose ID matches the first 8 digits on the recovery screen1.
  • There is no key in your Microsoft account. The person who set up the device or turned on BitLocker may hold it in their account1. On a work or school PC, check https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey or ask IT support1.
  • The screen asks for a USB drive, not a number. That drive holds a recovery key file named in the format <protector_id>.bek3. Plug it in and follow the instructions1.
  • You need help typing the key. On the recovery screen in Windows RE, press WIN + CTRL + Enter to turn on Narrator, or tap a text box to open the on-screen keyboard3. These tools might not be available when the Windows boot manager asks for the key3.
  • You can't find the key anywhere. If you can't undo the change that triggered the prompt, you have to reset the device with Windows recovery options1. This removes all of your files1.

Questions

Can Microsoft Support give me my BitLocker recovery key?
No. Microsoft Support can't retrieve, provide or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key1. Check your Microsoft account, your work or school account, printouts and USB flash drives instead1.
Why is my PC suddenly asking for a BitLocker recovery key?
BitLocker asks for the key when it can't unlock the drive on its own, for example after a hardware change1. Firmware upgrades, changes to the TPM and moving the drive to a new computer can all trigger it3.
Where is my recovery key saved if I never backed it up?
The key is backed up automatically when BitLocker is first turned on, and with a Microsoft account it is typically attached to that account2. For PCs that aren't joined to a work domain, the Microsoft account is the recommended place to store it3.
What does a BitLocker recovery key look like?
It is a 48-digit number1. A printout shows the key ID and the recovery key together1.

3 Oct 2026: Published.

Sources

  1. Find your BitLocker recovery key, Microsoft Support. Accessed 3 Oct 2026.
  2. Back up your BitLocker recovery key, Microsoft Support. Accessed 3 Oct 2026.
  3. BitLocker recovery overview, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 3 Oct 2026.