Unlock Bitlocker From CMD Now [with Bonus Tips]

Learn how to unlock Bitlocker from the Command Prompt (CMD) with step-by-step instructions. Plus, get bonus tips for managing Bitlocker encryption on your device.

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Page Table of Contents

Updated By

Finley

Updated on

20 November 2024

Min Reading

9 Min

BitLocker, a built-in encryption feature in Windows, helps protect your data by encrypting entire drives. However, users sometimes face challenges unlocking these drivers, especially when they forget their passwords or lose their recovery keys. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to unlock bitlocker from CMD, along with some bonus tips for data recovery.

Imagine a scenario where you have an important document stored on a BitLocker-encrypted drive. You attempt to access it but are prompted to ask for the password or recovery key. Knowing how to unlock your drive via CMD can be invaluable. For instance, users often seek solutions like the one discussed in a Microsoft community post, where they explore methods to unlock their drives when faced with access issues.

First Aid: Recover Data from BitLocker Encrypted Drive with Software 

You may likely lose your data when you try unlocking BitLocker using the CMD command, so securing your data should be your priority before attempting to unlock your drive. If you're unable to access your drive, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help. 

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This advanced hard drive recovery software can recover data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive if you have the recovery key. Whether you've formatted the drive, accidentally deleted files, or are dealing with corruption, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard ensures your files are safe. 

Are you ready to get stаrted? Follow the full recovery steps in our detailed guide to recover data from the BitLocker encrypted drive:

Step 1. Choose the encrypted drive to scan

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and you will see the BitLocker encrypted drive displayed there. Hover the mouse on the BitLocker partition or storage device from which you want to recover data. Then click "Search for Lost Data".

Select the bitlocker drive to scan

Note: If you don't have a key or password, you can use "Try Automatically Decrypt", which may help you scan your recovery key from your Microsoft account or your C drive, then decrypt the drive without providing your password.

Decrypt the drive with password

Step 2. Select and preview scanned files

The software will start a quick scan for deleted files and perform advanced scan for more lost files from the BitLocker device. When the process completes, you can apply the "Filter" feature or use the search feature to find the lost files in a short time.

scan the drive for lost drive

Step 3. Recover lost files from BitLocker encrypted hard drive

After previewing the file, click the "Recover" button to restore deleted or lost files from BitLocker encrypted partition on Windows. You can choose a cloud storage, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, etc., and click "Save" to save your recovered files.

restore and save lost data

Remember to share this post with your friends who attempt to unlock BitLocker using the CMD command:

 

Unlock BitLocker Drive with a Password Using CMD

Unlocking a BitLocker driver using a password through CMD is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, search for cmd in the Start menu, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator."

Step 2. Type the following command to unlock your drive using its password:

manage-bde -unlock E: -password

Input the command

Replace "E" with the letter of your BitLocker encrypted drive.

Step 3. When prompted, enter your BitLocker password and press "Enter."

This command will initiate the unlocking process for your specified drive using your set password.

Unlock BitLocker Drive with a Recovery Key Using CMD

If the password isn't available, your BitLocker recovery key is your next option. Here's how to unlock the drive using CMD and the recovery key:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

run command prompt as administrator

Step 2. Enter the following command to unlock the drive with your recovery key:

manage-bde -unlock L: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY  

Replace "L" with the locked driver's letter and "YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY" with your 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.

Step 3. Press "Enter" to execute the command. Once verified, the drive will be unlocked.

Step 4. To disable BitLocker encryption for easier access in the future, run the following command:

manage-bde -off X:  

The recovery key allows you to regain access to your encrypted drive without needing the original password.

Conclusion

This article has outlined effective methods to unlock a BitLocker-encrypted drive using CMD, whether with a password or a recovery key. 

You also learned how to disable BitLocker encryption for easier access in the future.EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable solution to recover data from BitLocker-encrypted drives for cases where the drive remains inaccessible. 

With its powerful capabilities, it ensures that your files are safe when encountering issues with encryption. Don't let encryption errors stop you from accessing your essential data. Instead, try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover your files effortlessly and keep your data secure.

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FAQs

In this section, we address common questions about unlock bitlocker from CMD. Whether you need to recover your recovery key, unlock a locked drive, or disable BitLocker, you'll find clear and practical answers here.

1. How to recover BitLocker key using cmd?

To retrieve your BitLocker recovery key via CMD, follow these steps:

Step 1. Use "Windows Key + X" to access the menu and select "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Step 2. Type the following command, replacing with the letter of the encrypted drive:

manage-bde -protectors -get :  

Step 3. The 48-digit recovery key will appear on your screen.

Step 4. Copy the recovery key and save it in a secure location for future use.

2. How to unlock the locked drive in cmd?

If your computer's hard drive becomes locked, you can follow these steps to unlock it:

Step 1. Perform a disk check by using the CHKDSK command.

Step 2. Execute a system file check with the command sfc /scannow.

Step 3. Carry out a startup repair using the commands:

bootrec /RebuildBcd, bootrec /fixMbr, and bootrec /fixboot.

Step 4. Attempt a system restore.

Step 5. Refresh your PC.

3. How to disable BitLocker key from cmd?

For advanced users, disabling BitLocker can be accomplished via the Command Prompt.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. You can do this quickly by pressing "Windows Key + X" to access the "Win + X" menu, then selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the options.

Step 2. Once the Command Prompt is open, type the command manage-bde -off X: and execute it (substituting X with the letter at the drive that is encrypted with BitLocker). 

  • Updated by

    Finley is interested in reading and writing articles about technical knowledge. Her articles mainly focus on file repair and data recovery.…
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