Word – BitLocker: Decrypting a locked drive, not having recovery key or password

bitlockerpassword-recovery

The problem is that I have forgotten my password to unlock my E: drive which contains my important information. Unfortunately I don't have a recovery key. I click on Unlocking a drive and then I click on forgot my password. I shows some information and displays something like:

Your recovery key can be identified by: 6FABCF77

And on the next page it says:

Full BitLocker recovery key identification: 6FABCF77-7BDA-47FD-94D0-E990147ECBE7

I searched a lot for the solution. All solutions require password or recovery key or recovery file … .
Some examples of the links I have read can be found here: +, +, +.

Best Answer

Looks like what the information above is like a thumbprint for a certificate, which is really just a shorthand way of identifying the public key.

Anyway, without the recovery key or password, there is no chance of recovery of your data.

BitLocker wants me to enter a 48-digit recovery key and doesn't ask for a password

Notes:

The articles quoted for this answer are for older versions of Windows.
Things may have changed for Windows 10.

What causes BitLocker to start into recovery mode?

Because BitLocker is designed to protect your computer from numerous attacks, there are numerous reasons why BitLocker could start in recovery mode. For information about these reasons, see Recovery scenarios in the BitLocker Drive Encryption Technical Overview.

Source BitLocker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

System recovery

A number of scenarios can trigger a recovery process, for example:

Moving the BitLocker-protected drive into a new computer.

Installing a new motherboard with a new TPM.

Turning off, disabling, or clearing the TPM.

Updating the BIOS.

Updating option ROM.

Upgrading critical early boot components that cause system integrity validation to fail.

Forgetting the PIN when PIN authentication has been enabled.

Losing the USB flash drive containing the startup key when startup key authentication has been enabled.

An administrator can also trigger recovery as an access control mechanism (for example, during computer redeployment). An administrator may decide to lock an encrypted drive and require that users obtain BitLocker recovery information to unlock the drive.

...

Recovery password

The recovery password is a 48-digit, randomly generated number that can be created during BitLocker setup. If the computer enters recovery mode, the user will be prompted to type this password by using the function keys (F0 through F9).

Recovery key

The recovery key can be created and saved to a USB flash drive during BitLocker setup; it can also be managed and copied after BitLocker is enabled. If the computer enters recovery mode, the user will be prompted to insert the recovery key into the computer.

Source Recovery scenarios

I also don't have either the key or the password of this drive.

If I lose my recovery information, will the BitLocker-protected data be unrecoverable?

BitLocker is designed to make the encrypted drive unrecoverable without the required authentication. When in recovery mode, the user needs the recovery password or recovery key to unlock the encrypted drive.

Source BitLocker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It's a vhd image that I mounted.

Perhaps a vhd image triggers "Moving the BitLocker-protected drive into a new computer."?

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Word – Unlock locked drive with Bitlocker using Password

Windows – Why does BitLocker want a recovery key instead of a password

BitLocker wants me to enter a 48-digit recovery key and doesn't ask for a password

What causes BitLocker to start into recovery mode?

System recovery

I also don't have either the key or the password of this drive.

It's a vhd image that I mounted.

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