3 Best Ways to Unlock Bitlocker from CMD

Part 1: [Bonus Tip] Recover Data from BitLocker Encrypted Drive with 4DDiG Software

When you attempt to unlock a BitLocker-encrypted drive using the CMD command, you might risk losing your important data. Securing your data should always be a priority before you proceed. In situations where your drive becomes inaccessible due to encryption errors, system crashes, or failed unlock attempts, 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery can help. This tool specializes in recovering lost data from BitLocker-protected drives, even when they seem completely locked or corrupted.

Whether your files are hidden behind encryption failures, accidental formatted, or an unexpected system crash, 4DDiG scans your drive thoroughly and restores your important files. It ensures that even in these complex situations, you can recover your valuable data without further risk.

• Recover Data from BitLocker Drives: 4DDiG can recover data from BitLocker encrypted drives even when the unlocking process fails or data is inaccessible.
• Fix Corrupted or Damaged Drives: It allows you to recover data from drives damaged or corrupted so you get to keep your important files.
• Deep Scan for Lost Data: 4DDiG will do a deep scan of the drive and find files that were lost because of failed unlocking or encryption.
• Recover Multiple File Types: It can recover different file formats such as documents, images, and videos, thus is a fully versatile data recovery tool.

Here are the easy steps for using 4DDiG to recover lost data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive:

• Select the BitLocker Encrypted Drive
  Open 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery after installation. Find your BitLocker encrypted drive, which will have a lock icon. Click on it and hit "Start" to begin scanning.

  

• Enter the Password and Scan for Lost Data
  Enter your BitLocker password to unlock the drive. 4DDiG will then scan the drive thoroughly to detect lost files. You can view files by category or use filters to refine your search.

  

• Preview and Recover the Files
  Once the scan completes, preview the found files. Select the ones you need and recover them to a secure location, such as your local disk or cloud storage.

  
  People Also Read:

  2 Best Ways to Reocver Data from Encrypted Dell Device

Part 2: Unlock Bitlocker from CMD with a Recovery Key

Losing your BitLocker password can feel like a nightmare, but there’s no need to worry. You can unlock your encrypted drive using the BitLocker recovery key, which serves as a backup when the password is unavailable.

Here's how you can do it step by step using Command Prompt:

• First, you need to open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, simply search for cmd in the Start menu, right-click on the Command Prompt app, and select Run as administrator. This ensures you have the necessary permissions to perform administrative tasks.

  

• Next, type the following command into the Command Prompt window to unlock your drive using the recovery key:

  manage-bde -unlock L: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY

  Here, replace L: with the letter of the locked drive, and YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY with your actual 48-digit recovery key. After entering the command, press Enter. This will prompt your computer to verify the recovery key and unlock the drive.

• Once the drive is unlocked, you’ll be able to access all of your files. If you find it difficult to enter the recovery key each time, you can disable BitLocker encryption for easier future access by entering the following command:

manage-bde -off X:

This command will begin decrypting your drive, allowing you to access your files without needing a password or recovery key in the future.

Part 3: Unlock BitLocker Using a Password in CMD

If you still have the BitLocker password but can’t access your encrypted drive, you can easily unlock it using Command Prompt. Here’s a simple method to get your files back by unlocking the drive with the password.

• Start by opening Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Search for cmd in the Start menu, right-click on the Command Prompt app, and choose Run as administrator. This will grant you the necessary permissions to make changes to your system.

• Now, type the following command into the Command Prompt:

  manage-bde -unlock E: -password

  

  Make sure to replace E: with the drive letter of your BitLocker encrypted drive. When you press Enter, the system will prompt you to enter the BitLocker password for the specified drive.

• Enter your BitLocker password when prompted and press Enter again. If the password is correct, your drive will be unlocked, and you’ll have full access to your files.

This method is ideal when you know the password but can't access the drive through normal means. It's a quick way to regain access to your encrypted data without needing the recovery key.

Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: To get the BitLocker key, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

manage-bde -protectors -get C: (replace C: with your drive letter). The recovery key will display.

Ans: To unlock a locked drive, open Command Prompt as an admin and type:

manage-bde -unlock C: -password (replace C: with your drive letter), then enter your password when prompted.

Ans: If locked out, you can find the recovery key on your Microsoft account page or in your saved backup file. If you set up a recovery key, it should be saved there.

Final Words

If you're facing issues unlocking a BitLocker-encrypted drive, we’ve explained several methods to help you recover your data. From using the recovery key via CMD to unlocking with a password, these steps can resolve your problem. However, if you still can't access your data, we recommend 4DDiG Data Recovery. This tool offers an easy solution to recover lost data from BitLocker-encrypted drives, ensuring you can get back to your important files quickly and securely.