How to Get BitLocker Recovery Key Using CMD ✨

Learn how to find your BitLocker recovery key CMD with this step-by-step guide. Discover top ways to secure your encrypted drives and access locked data effortlessly.

Windows offers many robust built-in features to help protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. BitLocker is most used because it can encrypt your entire drive to secure stored content.

However, there are times when you may find yourself locked out if you forget your password. You can utilize the BitLocker recovery key CMD in such cases, which can be retrieved through the methods provided in this guide from EaseUS.

What is BitLocker Recovery Key

It is a unique 48-digit numerical password generated when you enable encryption on a drive using this utility. This recovery key acts as a backup for accessing your encrypted data if you lose or forget your primary unlock method. Since BitLocker encrypts your entire drive to protect your data even if your device is lost or stolen, this number sequence becomes critical.

When you set up this utility, you are prompted to save this recovery key in a secure location. It can be stored in various ways, including your Microsoft account or a USB drive. Knowing where to find your BitLocker recovery key CMD is essential for uninterrupted access. Otherwise, your encrypted data will remain inaccessible to you without it.

How to Get BitLocker Recovery Key Using CMD

Using Command Prompt to retrieve your key is a powerful method that can be extremely useful if you're locked out. This approach leverages CMD's administrative capabilities to find and display the recovery key stored on your system. While effective, this method requires a certain level of comfort with technical tasks. The steep learning curve for beginners can be exacerbated by even small typing mistakes, leading to frustration.

For users who find this method challenging or intimidating, a much easier alternative is to use EaseUS Partition Master. This user-centric tool bypasses BitLocker protection with just a few clicks without dealing with complex commands. It's ideal for those who prefer a straightforward and efficient way to access their encrypted drives.

This tool can allow you to unlock BitLocker without a recovery Key and password. Download it and follow Method 6 to try.

Here's how you can retrieve your BitLocker recovery key CMD if you're comfortable using this utility:

Step 1. Launch the Task Manager on your PC using the "Ctrl+Shift+Esc" and select "Run new task" via the "File" menu. Here, enter "cmd" in the "Open" field and check the "Create this task with administrative privileges" box to launch Command Prompt.

Step 2. Within CMD, execute the command "manage-bde -protectors -get C:" before changing the "C" to the real encrypted drive letter. In the provided output, locate the "Numerical Password" section to access the desired 48-digit number recovery key.

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Another 6 Ways to Get BitLocker Recovery Key

There are alternative ways available to achieve this task if using Command Prompt isn't your preferred method. To help you find the BitLocker recovery key CMD, this section will explore six additional methods to ensure you have a variety of options to choose from.

Way 1. Recover BitLocker Key From Microsoft Accounts

This method allows you to access this critical number sequence from any device if you log in to your official account. You might have saved your BitLocker recovery key to your Microsoft account when you first set it up. That makes it a reliable option if you've lost access to your device or forgotten the recovery key. Utilize the instructions given below to recover your BitLocker key via Microsoft Account:

Step 1. You will need to access the Microsoft profile to log in using your credentials associated with the system where BitLocker encryption is active. Next, choose "Devices" from the left-hand panel and click "See details" once you find the targeted system.

Step 2. Here, tap "Manage recovery keys" from the "BitLocker data protection" section to view the keys on the next screen. After locating the targeted key, utilize it to decrypt your drive to complete the process.

Way 2. Recover the BitLocker Key in the USB Drive

You can employ this solution if you have chosen a flash drive to save the key when encrypting your hard disk. It allows for quick and easy access whenever you need the key, making it another effective way to retrieve your BitLocker recovery key CMD. The steps needed to utilize this method to restore your access back to the encrypted drive are the following:

Step 1. After you have found the flash drive containing the key, link it to your system via a suitable port.

Step 2. Once recognized, open its content in File Explorer and double-click the text file containing the 48-digit sequence to retrieve it.

Way 3. Search the BitLocker Recovery Key TXT File

It is possible that you have previously gotten this critical sequence and saved it on your computer for later use. You can easily find it by searching your system if that is true. This method is useful if you remember saving the key but don't remember its exact location. By using the search feature via these steps, you can locate the text file containing your recovery key to regain access:

 On your Windows computer, launch File Explorer via the "Win + E" keys and utilize the search box to look for the file. You can type keywords such as "BitLocker Recovery Key" or simply "BitLocker" to initiate searching. Once found, double-click the text file to open it and copy your BitLocker recovery key.

Way 4. Retrieve from your Printout

Since it is an important piece of information, many users like to create a physical copy to ensure they never lose it. When you set up BitLocker encryption, you may have chosen to print the recovery key. This method is a practical way to ensure you always have access to your key when you lose digital access.

If you opted for this method, retrieving your BitLocker recovery key is as simple as locating the printed document. The printed document will contain your 48-digit key, usually labeled clearly as "BitLocker Recovery Key" with the drive name or ID. Finally, carefully type it into the prompt on your locked device to unlock the drive.

Way 5. Use your Azure Account

When working for an organization and using the device it provides, you might have access to an Azure Active Directory account. This is a common practice in managed environments where IT administrators configure BitLocker to ensure that recovery keys are stored securely. By accessing your Azure account, you can easily retrieve your BitLocker recovery key CMD using the following guide:

Step 1. Access the Azure Management Portal to log in using your Azure Active Directory account and click "Devices" from the left panel. On the subsequent screen, tap "All Devices" and locate the system with the encrypted drive.

Step 2. Once you have found it, click the name to open the "Properties" window for the system. Here, tap the "BitLocker Keys (Preview)" under "Manage" and tap "Show Recovery Key" to retrieve it.

Way 6. Format the BitLocker Partition

Finding yourself in a situation where you cannot retrieve your recovery key can happen. In such a case, another option is to format the BitLocker-protected partition. While this method is a last resort and should be approached cautiously, it can be effective if you have no critical data stored on that partition. EaseUS Partition Master Professional is a powerful tool that can help you manage your partitions efficiently, including formatting them.

Among its many features, the "Format" function lets you erase all data on a partition. This means that by formatting the BitLocker-protected partition, you can remove the encryption to regain access. It can be a straightforward way to manage your drive due to its wide range of features, from disk conversion to data recovery. Utilize the in-depth guide given below to resolve the BitLocker recovery key CMD issue:

Step 1. Run EaseUS Partition Master, right-click the hard drive partition you intend to format and choose "Format".

Step 2. In the new window, set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click "OK".

Step 3. Then you will see a warning window, click "Yes" in it to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button to review the changes, then click "Apply" to start formatting the partition on your hard drive.

To manage the BitLocker drive, such as wiping the BitLocker drive or cloning the BitLocker drive, download EaseUS Partition Master.

Conclusion

In summary, many ways are available for you to employ to get BitLocker recovery key CMD. It includes the straightforward approach of using Command Prompt and the convenience of retrieving your key from your Microsoft account or USB drive. For users with organizational accounts, we discussed the option of accessing the recovery key through Azure Active Directory.

You can also use EaseUS Partition Master to format the BitLocker partition, which is a more drastic measure. While it is very effective, it can result in data loss and should only be considered when critical data is not involved. By familiarizing yourself with these methods, you can confidently manage your BitLocker-encrypted drives and minimize the risk of being locked out of your data.

FAQs About How to Find BitLocker Key From CMD

Do you have additional questions about managing BitLocker recovery key CMD? Provided below are answers to a few queries to help clarify common issues related to this topic:

1. Can you get the BitLocker recovery key from CMD?

This is possible, and you will need to follow these steps to complete this operation:

1. Once you have launched the Command Prompt with elevated privileges, run the "manage-bde -protectors -get C:" command before substituting "C" with the real drive letter.

2. The output of this instruction will include the "Numerical Password" option with a 48-digit number, which is the key you are looking for.

2. How to reset the BitLocker password using cmd?

Employ the instructions provided below to change the passcode when the drive is already unlocked:

Instructions. Within an admin-powered CMD window, run the "manage-bde -changepassword C:" command by replacing "C" with your disk letter. Now, enter the new password to reset the old one and wait for it to take effect.

3. How to get a BitLocker recovery key without a Microsoft account?

You can employ the following method of using the backup USB drive to recover the 48-digit sequence:

Instructions. Attach the targeted external flash drive to the system with the encrypted drive and access it via File Explorer. Here, locate the text file containing the required sequence to use it for unlocking your disk.