[2024 Newest] How to Bypass Bitlocker Recovery Key & Password

5 mins read

Updated on 2024-12-11 10:13:50 to Windows Fix

BitLocker drive encryption protects your data by encrypting entire drives. However, if you forget the password or lose your recovery key, you can no longer access the valuable data stored on the drive. Without the proper credentials, BitLocker renders the drive and its contents inaccessible. To regain access, you will need to either format the encrypted drive to remove encryption or utilize third-party decryption tools that will help you restore if you forgot BitLocker password.

This guide will walk you through the necessary steps for how to bypass BitLocker recovery key using such tools so you can once again access your important files and information.

Part 1. Can You Bypass Bitlocker without Recovery Key?

Yes, it is possible to BitLocker bypass drive encryption without the recovery key in some cases. While Microsoft does not provide an official method to decrypt a BitLocker-encrypted drive without the credentials, there are third-party tools available that can crack or circumvent BitLocker encryption, given enough time and computing resources.

Such tools exploit vulnerabilities in BitLocker implementation or attempt to brute force passwords. However, success is not guaranteed depending on encryption methods used, password strength, and other factors. Formatting the encrypted drive may also work but will result in data loss.

So, recovery keys and passwords remain the most reliable ways to unlock BitLocker volumes. But with the right tools and techniques, drive access without these credentials is possible, though difficult and time-consuming.

Part 2. How to Unlock Bitlocker without Password and Recovery Key?

Method 1. Use Professional Tool to Bypass Bitlocker [100% Working]

4DDiG Windows Boot Genius is a powerful Windows recovery tool that can help unlock BitLocker encrypted drives if you have lost the password and recovery key. This software is designed to resolve over 30,000 different Windows issues, including fixing startup problems and system crashes, and enabling access to unbootable drives.

A key feature of 4DDiG for bypassing BitLocker is its bitlocker unlock capabilities. It can regain access to and extract data from BitLocker encrypted partitions even without the credentials. This makes it an ideal solution when you forget the password and recovery key and unlock BitLocker encryption successfully. It is the best BitLocker unlocker.

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Method 2. Use the Command Prompt to Turn off the BitLocker Feature

The BitLocker recovery console includes advanced options that can disable BitLocker protection using the command prompt. This allows access to the encrypted drive without the recovery key.

Follow these steps for BitLocker recovery key bypass:

  • Press Esc on the BitLocker recovery screen and select "Skip this drive"

  • how to bypass bitlocker recovery key
  • Choose "Advanced options" in the troubleshooting screen then open the Command Prompt

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  • Type the command "manage-bde-unlock X: -rp recoverykey" where X is the drive letter, to unlock the drive

  • Disable protection with "manage-bde-protectors-disable X:"

  • Restart the computer and BitLocker will be disabled, decrypting the drive

The command prompt method directly unlocks the BitLocker encryption from the recovery console. But it requires using the correct drive letters and commands.

Method 3. Request and Find a BitLocker Recovery Key

If you forget the BitLocker recovery key, it can be retrieved from the Active Directory by your system administrator using the recovery key ID displayed in the BitLocker recovery console.

Follow these steps to bypass BitLocker without key:

  • Press Esc on the BitLocker recovery screen to reveal the recovery key ID

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  • Note down or capture the ID before it disappears

  • how to bypass bitlocker recovery key
  • Provide your administrator with the recovery key ID

  • Your administrator locates your recovery key in the AD using the ID

  • Enter the key to unlock the BitLocker encryption

This allows access to forgotten BitLocker recovery keys by leveraging the Active Directory record linked to that specific device.

Method 4. Update the BIOS

An outdated BIOS can sometimes cause issues with BitLocker encryption resulting in being stuck in the recovery loop. Updating to the latest BIOS version may resolve this.

Follow these steps:

  • Download the latest BIOS update file from manufacturer's website

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  • Unzip the BIOS update file

  • Copy update to FAT32 formatted USB flash drive

  • With the computer plugged in, insert the updated USB into the BIOS port

  • Press and hold the BIOS Flashback button until the light blinks

  • Wait for the light to turn off once the update completes

  • Restart the computer with updated BIOS

Updating the BIOS ensures compatibility fixes for BitLocker are in place, potentially stopping recovery loops.

Method 5. Scan for the Deleted or Lost Recovery Key File from Computer

If the BitLocker recovery key file (.bek file) is accidentally deleted or lost, data recovery software can scan the computer to find and restore it.

Follow these steps:

  • Run a scan on all drives to locate lost recovery key files

  • Search scan results for .bek files

  • Restore and save recovered .bek BitLocker key files

  • Use a restored key file to unlock the BitLocker drive

Powerful file scanning and data recovery capabilities can retrieve lost BitLocker keys to regain access to encrypted drives.

Part 3. People Also Ask about How to Bypass Bitlocker Recovery Key

Q1. Can you disable BitLocker from BIOS?

No, BitLocker drive encryption cannot be disabled from the BIOS directly. The BIOS operates underneath the Windows OS where BitLocker is enabled. To properly disable BitLocker, you need to either enter the recovery key or use BitLocker commands in Windows.

Q2. Does formatting remove BitLocker?

Yes, formatting a BitLocker-encrypted drive will remove the encryption once set back up as a blank drive. However, formatting results in erasing all data stored on the drive. Alternate non-destructive methods like using the recovery key are recommended if the data still needs recovering.

Final Word

Losing BitLocker credentials can be devastating without backups, making data totally inaccessible. But advanced tools like 4DDiG Windows Boot Genius provide a lifeline to regain access to encrypted drives.

With its specific technology, 4DDiG offers the most complete solution for unlocking BitLocker when keys or passwords are lost. It decrypts protected partitions without erasing data, cracks password hashes, and fixes related boot issues, providing multilayered unlocking techniques.

William Bollson (senior editor)

William Bollson, the editor-in-chief of 4DDiG, devotes to providing the best solutions for Windows and Mac related issues, including data recovery, repair, error fixes.

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