Where to Find Your BitLocker Key

1. Your Microsoft Account (most common)

If you signed into the PC with a Microsoft account, your key is stored online.

➡️ Go to:
https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey
(Log in with the same Microsoft account used on the PC.)

You will see a list of your devices and their BitLocker keys.

2. Your Azure AD / Office 365 Account (work or school)

If it’s a business or organization device, the key is usually stored in Azure AD.

Ask your IT admin to check:
Azure portal → Devices → All devices → Select device → BitLocker key

3. Your Organization’s Active Directory (older business networks)

If the PC was joined to a traditional domain, the key may be stored in Active Directory.

Your IT team can look it up here:
Active Directory Users and Computers → Computer properties → BitLocker Recovery

4. USB Flash Drive

When BitLocker was turned on manually, Windows may have asked you to save the key to a USB drive.

Check any USB sticks you may have used — look for a file named:

BitLocker Recovery Key.txt

5. Printed Copy

Some people printed the key when BitLocker was enabled.

Check:

• Important papers

• Filing cabinets

• PC purchase documents

• Envelopes labeled “Recovery Key.”

6. Local Account / Saved to File

If you didn’t use a Microsoft account, Windows might have prompted you to save the key as a text file on your computer.

Search your files (if you can still access the drive):
“BitLocker Recovery Key” or “.txt”

7. On Your Device Label (rare, OEMs only)

Some manufacturers (Dell, HP) occasionally store the key in the BIOS/UEFI or print it on a label, but this is uncommon.

❗ If You Can’t Find the Key

Unfortunately, there is no way to bypass BitLocker.

This is by design — it protects the data.
If the key is lost, the only option is to wipe the drive and reinstall Windows.