diff --git a/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/operations-guide.md b/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/operations-guide.md index 29452a46ea..c41b4ab0cb 100644 --- a/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/operations-guide.md +++ b/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/operations-guide.md @@ -610,7 +610,37 @@ Once decryption is complete, the drive updates its status in the Control Panel a --- +## Unlock a drive + +If connect a drive as a secondary drive to a device, and you have your BitLocker recovery key, you can unlock a BitLocker-enabled drive by using the following instructions. + +In the next example, the `D` drive is the one to unlock. Select the option that best suits your needs. + +#### [:::image type="icon" source="images/powershell.svg"::: **PowerShell**](#tab/powershell) + +```powershell +Unlock-BitLocker -MountPoint D -RecoveryPassword xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx +``` + +For more information, see [Unlock-BitLocker][PS-2] + +#### [:::image type="icon" source="images/cmd.svg"::: **Command Prompt**](#tab/cmd) + +```cmd +manage-bde.exe -unlock D: -recoverypassword xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx +``` + +For more information, see [manage-bde unlock][WINS-1] + +#### [:::image type="icon" source="images/controlpanel.svg"::: **Control Panel**](#tab/controlpanel) + +You can unlock the drive from the Control Panel or from Explorer. After opening the BitLocker Control Panel applet, select the **Unlock drive** option to begin the process. When prompted, enter the 48-digit recovery key. + +--- + [PREV-1]: /previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/ff829849(v=ws.11) [PS-1]: /powershell/module/bitlocker +[PS-2]: /powershell/module/bitlocker/unlock-bitlocker?view=windowsserver2022-ps +[WINS-1]: /windows-server/administration/windows-commands/manage-bde-unlock \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/recovery-process.md b/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/recovery-process.md index aee50a307d..7f22206332 100644 --- a/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/recovery-process.md +++ b/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/recovery-process.md @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ title: BitLocker recovery process description: Learn how to obtain BitLocker recovery information for Microsoft Entra joined, Microsoft Entra hybrid joined, and Active Directory joined devices, and how to restore access to a locked drive. ms.topic: how-to -ms.date: 06/18/2024 +ms.date: 07/08/2024 --- # BitLocker recovery process @@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ A recovery key can't be stored in any of the following locations: - The root directory of a nonremovable drive - An encrypted volume +### Self-recovery with recovery password + +If you have access to the recovery key, enter the 48-digits in the preboot recovery screen. + +- If you are having issues entering the recovery password in the preboot recovery screen, or you can no longer boot your device, you can connect the drive to another device as a secondary drive. For more information, see [Unlock a drive](operations-guide.md#unlock-a-drive) +- If unlocking with recovery password doesn't work you can use the [BitLocker Repair tool](#bitlocker-repair-tool) to regain access yo your drive + ### Self-recovery in Microsoft Entra ID If BitLocker recovery keys are stored in Microsoft Entra ID, users can access them using the following URL: https://myaccount.microsoft.com. From the **Devices** tab, users can select a Windows device that they own, and select the option **View BitLocker Keys**.