Your computer suddenly shows a blue BitLocker recovery screen asking for a 48-digit key, and you've never heard of BitLocker. Hardwired IT helps you find the key, unlock the computer and make sure it doesn't lock you out again, at your home or office in Ottawa and Gatineau. If the key truly can't be found, we tell you honestly what your options are.
BitLocker is Windows' built-in drive encryption. Many newer laptops turn it on automatically (Microsoft calls it "device encryption") when you sign in with a Microsoft account, so plenty of people have it without ever choosing it. It protects your files if the laptop is stolen, but when Windows thinks something about the computer has changed, it locks the drive and asks for the recovery key to prove it's really you.
Common triggers we see:
The key is a 48-digit number created when encryption was turned on. It's usually in one of these places:
The tricky part is often working out which Microsoft account the computer used, especially on a family computer or one set up years ago. That's a big part of what we help with. You sign in to your own accounts yourself; we never need your passwords.
We'll be straight with you: BitLocker is real encryption. Without the correct recovery key, nobody can unlock the drive. Not us, not a data recovery lab, not Microsoft. Anyone who promises to "bypass" BitLocker without the key is not being honest.
If every place the key could be has been checked, the computer can be made usable again by reinstalling Windows, but the files on the encrypted drive are lost unless they were backed up somewhere else (OneDrive, an external drive or another computer). We'll help you check those places first, then reinstall Windows and set up backups so it never comes to this again.
We come to your home or office anywhere in Ottawa and Gatineau, in English or French.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call (613) 416-9482 - we'll confirm immediately.
“Stephane helped me restore access to my primary accounts, setup my account security properly. Configured automated backup tasks to ensure data integrity, and set up password manager as well as help with application installation. His expertise resolved many operatiomal problems.”
“Stephane is the best. My computer crashed . We worked together to backup and restore my data. And make it faster. I was so discourage before and now I am so happy. Price is very reasonable. Thank you Stephane”
It's a 48-digit number created when Windows encrypted your drive. Windows asks for it when it detects a change it can't verify, such as a firmware update or a hardware change, to make sure the person starting the computer is the owner.
Many newer laptops turn on device encryption automatically when you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account. It works silently until something triggers the recovery screen.
Most often in the Microsoft account you use to sign in to Windows, which you can check at aka.ms/myrecoverykey from another device. Work and school computers usually have it stored by the organization's IT department. It can also be on a printout, a file or a USB stick saved at setup.
No. BitLocker is real encryption, and without the correct key nobody can unlock the drive. If the key can't be found, Windows can be reinstalled, but files on that drive are lost unless they were backed up elsewhere.
It can if the cause isn't dealt with. We check what triggered it, make sure the key is saved in your Microsoft account, and suggest keeping a second copy somewhere safe.
Usually no. It protects your files if the laptop is lost or stolen. The better fix is making sure the key is backed up and your files are backed up, so a lockout is a five-minute fix instead of a disaster.
A certified technician comes to you, same day in Ottawa and Gatineau. We help you find the key, unlock the computer and back the key up so it doesn't happen again.
Call (613) 416-9482, email info@hardwiredit.ca, or use the form for a free estimate.
Available 8am - 10pm, every day. English and French service.