Previously, we’ve shared you the detailed guide to encrypt your operating system with BitLocker. While you encrypt your drive, you’re asked to save backup the recovery key. If you backup the recovery key to your Microsoft account, then you can access the saved recovery key at https://onedrive.live.com/recoverykey.
However, if you’re unable to unlock BitLocker drive as well as can’t locate the recovery key in your Microsoft account, then this article is for you. Using this guide, you can get your BitLocker drive recovery using command line.
Here’s the how to part:
Page Contents
How To Get BitLocker Recovery Key From Command Line
Method 1 – Using Command Prompt
1. Right click Start Button or press 
+ X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type following command and press Enter key:
manage-bde -protectors <DRIVE> -get
You need to substitute <DRIVE> with the exact drive to get its recovery key. For example, to get recovery key for C: drive I’d execute manage-bde -protectors C: -get command.
3. Look for down Password section in command results, which contains the 48-digit recovery key. Note or save this recovery key to somewhere safely for future reference.
Method 2 – Using Windows PowerShell
1. Open Notepad and paste following code into its window.
$BitlockerVolumers = Get-BitLockerVolume
$BitlockerVolumers |
ForEach-Object {
$MountPoint = $_.MountPoint
$RecoveryKey = [string]($_.KeyProtector).RecoveryPassword
if ($RecoveryKey.Length -gt 5) {
Write-Output ("The BitLocker recovery key for the drive $MountPoint is $RecoveryKey.")
}
}
2. Save the Notepad file with any name but make sure it has .ps1 extension. File type while saving can be All files.
3. Open administrative Windows PowerShell.
4. Type name of saved file with its location. The results should show the recovery key.
That’s it!
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15 Comments
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Hello. I have a Dell 4371 and NEVER launched Bitlocker……..and until this episode, never knew it existed! It closed me out on startup two weeks ago. I have one tax program on the computer is all and had not used it since last April………maybe opening it one time to look at a return. Those files are locked and between me, my tech friend in Dallas Texas, USA, Dell and Microsoft chat……….I am at wits end I even went to Youtube…..and precisely followed step by step by step on multiple videos and can’t gain access to the key to reopen the computer. I am not that computer savvy but no idiot either. I have always been one to follow directions to the T. What do you suggest, my friend. I have to begin my tax season in a week or so and will have no other option but to scrub the hard drive and reinstall Windows 10 I own two other Dells that are and have worked great. An old 5100 from 2005 and a workhorse XPS 8700. Can you help? I would be forever grateful. BTW I have the Dell Pin # that was required to open the computer new………but CAN NOT get to the screen to put the pin in to gain access. have you ever????
^^ The Automatic Windows Device Encryption is a known issue with Dell machines. Check their support article, see if it helps you: dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000124701/automatic-windows-device-encryption-bitlocker-on-dell-systems.
Mr. Arya,
Thank you for the quick response and link. I tried two of the Administrator tools and neither would work. Said volume locked. I beg the question. Are your services for hire? I would pay with American dollars or whatever method you desire, if affordable. If not, do you have a colleague who is willing and able to fix this issue that is trained in this area? Again I am in my 18th day of misery. My 4371 is Windows 10 Pro
Thank you
^^ Can you share me, what is the exact error when it said ‘volume locked’?
Sir, i opened the computer as usual. Had not opened it for a long time since it’s use is income tax only. At open it appeared to be taking updates and I waited and waited for the password box. It never appeared, THEN the screen goes blue and it asks me for the bitlocker code. I had to go to this computer to even see what a bitlocker was. I NEVER set it up, NEVER had a code or anything. So i began investigating how to resolve and as stated above Dell worked on it several times and finally refunded me 90% of their fee since they could not fix. I contacted Microsoft and they blamed Dell saying Dell had its own form of bitblocker contact them. My best lifetime friend is a software writer and electrical engineer in Dallas, TX USA as well and he has helped on multiple occasions to send me things to try and it does not work. What has me baffled is I have looked at Youtubes with the same issues and the same screen and I have followed them EXACTLY but do not get any result. FYI–on set up Dell asked me for a Pin # for that computer and i wrote it down.
I see where I could possible access the bitlocker with my Dell Pin # but CAN’T GET TO THE PROPER SCREEN TO TRY IT. Thank you again for helping me. If i can’t unlock, all i am wanting to do is get about 300Mb of tax work off the hard drive and i will reinstall Windows 10. BTW my tech buddy in Texas sent me a link this morning, where Window 10 updates are causing issues, similar to mine all over our country. Thanks again Kapil
SIR, there is no error code……….just says………….this operation can’t be performed because the volume is locked.
^^ First, try to unlock the volume. Try either of these commands:
manage-bde.exe -unlock {Drive-Letter}: -rk “{Recovery-Key}”
manage-bde.exe -unlock {Drive-Letter}: -rp {Numerical-Recovery-Password}
I got the following on both tries
Parameter “Recover Password” requires an argument
Please continue to help
I finally gave up, after two weeks, and reinstalled the windows 10 operating system. This makes me very angry as the Dell techs, several of them say BitLocker CANNOT be and is NEVER activated automatically. Well, after the clean reinstall………..I began putting data back on. My best friend who is an electrical engineer, software writer and now day trader, QUICKLY cautioned me to go to the settings and make sure BitLocker was not on. Yep, you guessed it, IT WAS ON and automatically………..so I disabled it, after he told me how. I would think that on the setup of all of Dell’s computers, a screen could be displayed explaining what BitLocker is……..and to check and see if it is on and disable it if it is on OR you desire to not use the program. REALLY ticks me off after purchasing and helping Dell sell over 20 computers in the last decade that they would give me false information. I am DONE with them all. Again, FAIR warning
^^ Glad it was sorted, thanks for update!
It wasn’t sorted Kapil, he had to reset & lodt is data. You didn’t reply with a suggested”argument” for the script.
I tried it but it’s still not showing the password. It is showing only the ID. Please help me as I am lovked out of my laptop. My laptop is an asus rog strix g512. Please help me ASAP!!!!!
I have the same problem, if you can please tell me how you solved it.
It doesn’t show me the 48-digit password either
Hello,
Please I tried the code you provided above for recovering the bitlock password and the only thing I got was the ID: {××××××-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxx}
There’s nothing like password
Could you help me please
My email address is *Email removed for privacy*
Thanks in advance
Hello, I have a Lenovo system that has activated bitlocker which was done by my kids after trying to unlock my system without the password. I can’t find the key cause I never activated this stuff. How can I get to open my laptop again