How to Recover Data From BitLocker Encrypted Drive?

What Is BitLocker Encryption?

Before diving into how to recover data from BitLocker encrypted drive, it is necessary to learn some basics about this technology. BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature built into Windows (starting from Windows Vista and above) that helps protect your data by encrypting entire drives. It’s commonly used to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, especially on lost or stolen devices.

When BitLocker is enabled on a drive, it uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to lock down all the data stored on that drive. Once encrypted, the data becomes unreadable without the proper decryption key, such as:

• A BitLocker recovery key (a 48-digit numerical password)
• A TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip with PIN
• A password
• Or a USB startup key

Without one of these, even connecting the drive to another computer won't allow access to the files inside.BitLocker operates at the volume level, meaning it encrypts the entire drive, not just individual files. When you unlock the drive (e.g., during system startup or manually from another PC), Windows decrypts the data in real-time as you use it, without compromising performance.

Is It Possible to Recover Data from a BitLocker-encrypted Drive?

The short answer: It depends on the specific situation.

Generally, you’ll need to unlock or turn off BitLocker encryption on the target drive before attempting data recovery. Once the drive is accessible, you can use professional data recovery software to easily recover lost or deleted files.

However, if the drive remains locked and you don’t have the recovery key or password, recovery is not possible. BitLocker’s encryption is designed to prevent exactly that.

How to Recover Data from Bitlocker Encrypted Drive with Key?

If you have the BitLocker recovery key or password, recovering your data is entirely possibleand relatively easy. The process involves unlocking or turning off BitLocker encryption, and then using a reliable data recovery tool like MyRecover to scan and restore your lost files. Let’s break it down into two main parts:

Part 1: Unlock or Turn Off BitLocker Encryption

Before recovery can begin, you must make the encrypted drive accessible.

Option 1: Unlock BitLocker with Recovery Key or Password

1. Connect the BitLocker-encrypted drive to your computer.

2. When prompted, enter the password or click "More options" to input the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.

3. Once the drive is unlocked, you’ll be able to access its contents like any regular drive.

Option 2: Turn Off BitLocker (Optional but Recommended)

If you plan to use the drive frequently or want to make recovery easier:

1. Press "Windows + S", type "Manage BitLocker", and open it.

2. Find your target drive and click "Turn off BitLocker".

3. The system will begin decrypting the drive. This may take some time depending on drive size.

4. Once complete, the drive will no longer be encrypted and can be fully scanned.

If your drive is already unlocked, you can proceed to recovery directly without disabling encryption.

Part 2: Recover Lost or Deleted Files with MyRecover

Once the drive is unlocked or decrypted, you can scan it for recoverable data using "MyRecover", a professional yet user-friendly data recovery tool, working seamlessly on all editions of Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, etc, helping recover data from NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS and even Ext hard drive.

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1. Install the software on a drive other than the one you’re recovering files from.

2. Open MyRecover.From the main interface, select the BitLocker drive (now unlocked or decrypted).

3. Click "Scan". MyRecover will automatically perform either "Quick Scan" or "Deep Scan" to locate lost, deleted, or formatted files.

4. After the scan completes, browse through the results. Use the search or filter tools to find specific file types (e.g., documents, images, videos).Select the files you want and click "Recover".

5. Save them to a different drive or partition to avoid overwriting.

How to Recover Data from BitLocker Encryoted Drive without Key?

If the BitLocker-encrypted drive is locked and you don’t have the password or 48-digit recovery key, the situation becomes much more difficult.

Why Recovery Is Not Possible Without the Key?

BitLocker uses "strong AES encryption" and is specifically designed to prevent unauthorized access. Without the correct credentials (password, recovery key, smart card, or TPM unlock), neither Windows nor any recovery software can decrypt the data.

What You Can Do Instead to Recover Deleted Files from BitLocker Encrypted Drive

Here are a few practical suggestions if you’ve lost access to your BitLocker credentials:

1. Check Microsoft Account

If you enabled BitLocker while signed in with your Microsoft account, there’s a good chance the system automatically backed up your recovery key to the cloud. This is a default behavior on many Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems, especially on personal devices.

• Open a browser and go to Microsoft Recovery Key page:
• Log in using the same Microsoft account that was used when BitLocker was enabled on the drive.
• Once signed in, you’ll see a list of recovery keys associated with your devices.

• Locate the matching device name or drive ID and copy the 48-digit recovery key.

2. Search Other Locations

If the recovery key is not found in your Microsoft account, don’t panic—there are several other places you might have saved it, especially during the initial setup of BitLocker. Take time to check each of the following locations carefully:

• A USB Flash Drive

If you chose to save the key to a USB drive during BitLocker setup, connect any USB flash drives you’ve used in the past to your computer and look for a ".TXT" file named something like:"BitLocker Recovery Key.txt". Open the file to find a 48-digit recovery key associated with your encrypted drive.

• A Printed Copy

BitLocker gives you the option to "print the recovery key". Check your physical records—documents, folders, binders, or paper archives—for a printout labeled something like:

> BitLocker Recovery Key

> Recovery Key: 123456-789012-...

• Another Computer or Email

If you saved the recovery key as a "text file on another device", check the Documents or Desktop folders of your other computers. Also check email inboxes—some users email themselves a copy for safekeeping.

3. Check with Your IT Department (for Work/School Devices)

If it’s a company or school-managed device, the IT department might have stored the recovery key in Active Directory or Azure AD.

4. Format the Drive to Remove Encryption

If the data is critical and the encryption key is unrecoverable, the only option may be to "format the drive" and restore data fromthe formmated drive.MyRecover is also capable of recovering files from formatting hard drive.

Bottom Line

Recovering data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive is possible as long as you have the correct recovery key or password. With the help of reliable data recovery software for BitLocker encrypted drive like MyRecover, the process becomes fast, secure, and user-friendly.

However, if the drive is locked and no key is available, recovery is unfortunately not feasible. Always remember to back up your BitLocker recovery key to avoid permanent data loss in the future.