Methods for Recover Forgotten BitLocker Password

Nimmi Terance
6 min readDec 28, 2023

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Encryption is the process of algorithmically modifying data so that unapproved parties cannot read it. It is widely used to safeguard private information such as bank account and credit card numbers. Encryption encrypts plain-text data, which must be decrypted with a key.

Define a BitLocker in Detail

An encrypted hard drive protects the user’s data in the unusual case that the hard disk is removed or accessed by unauthorized parties. The drive and its contents are inaccessible without the key or password. There are various applications that provide encryption for data saved on a storage device or transmitted over a network. Microsoft’s BitLocker is one of these.

Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions; Windows Vista and Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions; and Windows 8 and 8.1 Pro and Enterprise editions.

1. BitLocker System Requirements

In addition to having one of the supported versions of Windows installed, BitLocker requires a few more system prerequisites. Prerequisites include at least two partitions on your drive and the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip. The TPM’s function is to execute authentication checks against your system’s firmware, hardware, and software. If the TPM detects unauthorized changes, it will boot your system in limited mode to protect you from possible attackers.

2. Password and BitLocker Security Key

During download BLR data recovery tool setup, you will be asked to create a password that you will need to input every time you power on your computer. You must chose whether to save the password on a USB stick or manually enter it. When employing the key approach, there is a potential that the USB key will not be found, preventing you from authenticating when your machine powers up.

3. When determining how to store your recovery key

You must first decide what level of security you are most concerned with maintaining. If you lose the flash drive or the paper on which it was printed, you can still unlock and decrypt your data by storing the key in your Microsoft account. Furthermore, someone may be able to gain access to your Microsoft account, obtain the key, and then access your hard disk. You must pick the type of risk you are most comfortable with.

4. What Happens If Forgotten BitLocker Password?

Assume you have a PC that has been inactive for some time and is protected with BitLocker. You try to start it but can’t remember the password. This is unquestionably a problem. The drive holds vital information that you must have access to. What are your choices if you can’t frequently unlock your drive?

Attempt to obtain access using your normal passwords.

Despite suggestions to create unique, strong passwords that include a combination of alphanumeric and special characters, many users continue to use simple words or phrases to protect their data and user accounts.

Relax and try to recall any passwords you may have used previously. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find the correct password and gain access to your hard drive.

Recoveries from BitLocker Perform a BitLocker restoration. If you are unable to access a BitLocker protected drive, you may be forced to perform a BitLocker recovery. There are various ways to finish this.

Entering the forty-eight-digit recovery password is possible.

A domain administrator can retrieve the password if it was saved in Active Directory Domain Services.

To unlock the drive, use a data recovery tool. Only if the drive is mounted as a data drive can the agent unlock it.

When using the command line to do recovery, the following procedures must be taken depending on whether you are recovering a local or remote machine.

Recovery requires a nearby machine.

After clicking the Start button, put CMD into the Search box.

Ctrl-click cmd.exe and then choose Run as Administrator from the context menu.

At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
control-bde -force recovery

Forcing the recovery of a distant machine.

recover-forgotten-BitLocker-password

Enter cmd.exe into the Start menu and choose Run as administrator.

At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter
-Computer Name manage-bde Recovering -force -Computer Name

Best Data Recovery Software Make advantage of third-party data recovery software.

There are data recovery applications available that can potentially extract data from encrypted BitLocker containers. BLR BitLocker data recovery tool is one such software for Windows. In version 4, this tool can read files contained in BitLocker containers and assist in data recovery from an encrypted drive. This is a less expensive option than sending your drive to a data recovery provider, but you must still open the BitLocker container before utilizing drive Drill.

Retrieve data from a BitLocker-encrypted device using BLR data recovery tool:

After downloading BLRTools, install it on the PC with the encrypted drive connected.

Start the File Explorer.

It is possible to right-click on the encrypted drive.

After selecting Unlock Drive, input the BitLocker password.

First, launch BLRTools and do a drive encryption scan. BLR data recovery tool can also unlock an encrypted drive by selecting the encrypted partition and clicking the “Unlock now” button.

Examine the recovery findings and establish a list of all the files you want to be recovered.

To store the selected files to a safe location, select Recover.

Hire a data recovery company.

In the worst-case situation, you may need to remove your hard disk and submit it to a data recovery company so that they may attempt to extract the encrypted data. This means you’ll have to pay for both the replacement drive and the contractual service. Only if your BitLocker password is still active and the storage device is not responding will this work. At that point, software-based approaches will not work, and the recovery lab may be your best bet.

BitLocker Repair Tool Application

Drive encryption management tools for BitlockerUsers can now access BitLocker-encrypted data by using Microsoft’s BitLocker Repair Tool (Repair-bde). If the BitLocker recovery procedures indicated above did not work, use this application.

You may be able to recover recoverable data from your encrypted drive by reconstructing major sections of it with the Repair-bde application. A working recovery password or recovery key is required to utilize the Repair-bde utility and decrypt the data. A backup key package is also necessary in the case that the BitLocker metadata data becomes corrupted.

The restore-bde utility can be used to copy the contents of encrypted disk C to drive D and then restore encrypted disk C using the appropriate 48-digit recovery password. Consider the following example:

The parameter -rp, which is also written as recovery password, instructs the Repair-bde utility to unlock the encrypted drive using the specified numerical recovery password.

A Comprehensive Guide Utilize the feature called BitLocker Encryption Options.

If you can’t remember your PIN or password and are having trouble accessing data on your BitLocker-encrypted work machine, look in the BitLocker Encryption Options application for the recovery key ID.

1.Click this link to get your recovery key from this program.

2.A slide opens the traditional Control Panel.

3.Choose System and Security.

4.To encrypt your drive, select BitLocker.

5.Click on “Unlock Drive” to select it.

6.Press. My password has vanished.

Password Reset for Recovery

You can change your recovery passwords and delete existing ones with the manage-bde command. The BitLocker container must still be unlocked. To reset a recovery password, follow these steps.

Your recovery key ID should be visible in the BitLocker Encryption Options software. Your administrator can use this to unlock your BitLocker-encrypted device.

Use the following command to remove the old recovery password:
-guardians -uninstall Volume> -type supervisor-bde Recover Your Password

Here, provide the most recent recovery password: safeguards -add Volume> -manage-bde -Recovery Password

Determine the ID of the new recovery password and write it down for the following step:

Get Volume> -Type manage-bde -protectors -Recovery Password

In a backup file, save an updated recovery password for Active Directory Domain Services. \{EXAMPLE6–5507–4924-AA9E-AFB2EB003692}> manage-bde -ad backup -protectors -id Volume>.

To summarize

Encrypting any device or data is the best approach to safeguard sensitive information. If the password used to apply the encryption is forgotten when it is required, an issue may develop. You must know the password, even though you do not want anyone to know it! Make sure the password you’re using is one you won’t forget, or that you save a copy of it somewhere safe.

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Nimmi Terance
Nimmi Terance

Written by Nimmi Terance

All detail about Data Recovery Tool

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