A BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number that acts as a "spare key" to the lock protecting the contents of your computer ...

Backing up your BitLocker recovery key before a problem occurs can help you avoid losing access to important files. Keep at least two secure copies, such as one in your Microsoft account and another ...

As millions of people discovered during the CrowdStrike meltdown, Windows can demand that recovery key when you least expect it. Under normal circumstances, you unlock your drive automatically when ...

How many times have you been locked out of your PC because you accidentally spammed the wrong PIN or exceeded the max number of sign-in attempts? This and starting Windows in Safe Mode are two ...

BitLocker is a useful security feature for modern Windows installations that helps protect your files and data from prying eyes. But if you made major changes to your PC, or an administrator has ...

Enterprises with many Windows devices might struggle to know which have BitLocker enabled or where to find BitLocker recovery keys. These techniques can help. A recent Microsoft Support knowledgebase ...

Every Patch Tuesday, there’s a moment where you hover over that “Install” button and wonder what you’re getting into. The April 2026 update for Windows 11, KB5083769, has given plenty of users good ...

Microsoft has fixed a known issue causing some Windows devices to boot into BitLocker recovery after installing last month's Windows security updates. Those affected by this are prompted to enter ...

If your PC were lost or stolen, you’d probably cringe at the cost of replacing it. But that’s nothing compared to what you’d stand to lose if someone had unfettered access to the data on that device.