What is BitLocker and how does it work to encrypt data on a disk?

BitLocker is a disk encryption feature available in certain versions of Windows. It uses a combination of encryption algorithms to protect data stored on a disk from unauthorized access. It works by encrypting the entire disk, including the operating system, all user data, and system files. The encryption key is stored on the disk, and the user must enter a password to access it. The encryption key is also backed up to a secure location, so that if the disk is lost or stolen, the data can still be recovered.

Can data recovery be performed on a BitLocker encrypted drive without the recovery key?

No, data recovery cannot be performed on a BitLocker encrypted drive without the recovery key. The recovery key is necessary to decrypt the data on the drive and make it accessible.

What are the common scenarios where data loss can occur on a BitLocker encrypted disk?

Accidental deletion of data. Physical damage to the drive. Malware or ransomware attack. Software or hardware malfunction. Unauthorized access to the drive. Improper system shutdown. Power outage or surge. Corrupt MBR or partition table. Incomplete or failed BitLocker encryption process. Incorrect configuration of BitLocker settings.

Is it possible to recover data from a BitLocker encrypted drive if the BitLocker partition table is damaged?

It is possible to recover data from a BitLocker encrypted drive if the BitLocker partition table is damaged, but it is not easy. It requires specialized tools and expertise to extract the data from the encrypted drive. It is also important to note that the data may not be completely recoverable, as some of the data may have been lost due to the damage to the partition table.

How can a user access a BitLocker encrypted drive if the original computer is no longer available?

If the original computer is no longer available, the user will need to use the BitLocker recovery key to access the encrypted drive. This recovery key can be stored in a variety of ways, such as on a USB drive, printed out, or stored in a Microsoft account. If the user does not have the recovery key, they will not be able to access the drive.

How to Recover Data From a Bitlocker Encrypted Disk

Author: Vladimir Artiukh
Editor: Oleg Afonin
Updated: 12.12.2024 16:06

Discover the essential guide to recovering data from a disk encrypted by BitLocker in this comprehensive tutorial. If you’ve encountered data loss or need to retrieve files from a BitLocker encrypted disk, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with expert solutions and step-by-step instructions to recover your data effortlessly. We walk you through the process of recovering data from a disk encrypted by BitLocker and ensuring the safety of your valuable files.

How to Recover Data From a Bitlocker Encrypted Disk

In order to recover data we will use the utility Repair-bde (BitLocker Repair Tool), a command prompt utility which appeared back in Windows 7 / 2008 R2. This utility is used for access and recovery of encrypted data in a damaged disk encrypted by BitLocker.

Warning. This procedure should be applied after all the others have failed, and it was impossible to unlock the encrypted disk in a standard way by using a Bitlocker password or recovery key.

Contents

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How to Encrypt a USB Disk with BitLocker, Unlocking with Password or Recovery Key 🔐💻⚕️

Reasons why a disk may be locked

Reason	Description
TPM Unavailability	Your computer can no longer be automatically unlocked using the TPM (Trusted Platform Module).
Forgotten Password or PIN	You have forgotten the BitLocker password or PIN code set for the drive.
Disconnected from Corporate Network	Your computer was removed from the corporate network, which may have been required to authenticate the drive.
Drive Connected to Another Computer	You connected the BitLocker-encrypted drive to a different computer, which cannot unlock it without the recovery key.
System Data Modification	Critical system data (such as the MBR or boot partition) was modified by you or due to malware activity.

Requirements For Data Recovery From a BitLocker Volume

To recover data from a disk encrypted by BitLocker you need to have at least one of the following Bitlocker defense elements:

BitLocker recovery password;
Recovery key;
System startup key (Startup key — .bek).

Data will be recovered to a separate disk the size of which should be no less than the size of the damaged disk. In the course of recovery, all contents of this disk will be deleted and replaced by decrypted data from the Bitlocker volume.

In our example, disk E: (size 2 Gb) is a USB drive the contents of which are encrypted by BitLocker, and which cannot be opened for some reason. To recover data, we have installed an additional external disk F: (size 16 Gb).

Method 1. Data Recovery With The Use of a BitLocker Password

In the first place, try recovering data with this method (it will work with Windows 8 / 2012 and newer versions):

Launch command prompt as administrator.
Execute the command:
repair-bde E: F: -pw –Force
where: E: — disk with Bitlocker data, F: — disk where decrypted data should be extracted.
In the course of executing the command you will have to specify BitLocker password (the same which a user is to enter into UI when trying to access an encrypted volume).

Data recovery with the use of a BitLocker password

Method 2. Decryption Of a Bitlocker Volume With a Recovery Key

For decryption of data located in a damaged volume which is encrypted with Bitlocker we will need a recovery key or a system startup key (if the system partition is encrypted).

Advice. BitLockerRecoveryKey is a unique sequence of 48 symbols. The recovery key is generated when a Bitlocker volume is created; it can be printed, saved as a text file to a local (this choice is not recommended) or external disk, or in a user account at Microsoft website.

Decryption of a Bitlocker volume with a recovery key

Now let us launch data recovery with the help of this key:

repair-bde E: F: -rp 011407-712393-682121-100210-377003-405174-520014-328130 –Force

If Bitlocker is used for encryption of the system partition containing Windows, and for loading the system a special startup key on a USB drive is used, the encrypted volume can be decrypted as follows:

repair-bde E: F: -rk I:F558473-943D-4330-8449-62C36BA53345.BEK –Force

where file 3F558473-943D-4330-8449-62C36BA53345.BEK is a key to launch BitLocker disk encryption on a USB drive G: (by default, this file is hidden).

After the procedure of data recovery and decryption, before opening the disk where the contents of the Bitlocker volume were extracted, it is necessary to run its check. In order to do it, execute the following command and wait until it is complete:

Chkdsk F: /f

Important note. If you failed to recover data from an encrypted disk with the described methods, it is worth trying to create a sector-by-sector copy of the damaged disk with the help of a Linux utility DDRescue (or any other similar utility). After that, try recovering data from the received copy by the following scenario.

Go to view

How to Encrypt System Disk C with BitLocker in Windows 10 Without TPM, Enable TPM 🤔🔐💻

Method 3. Bitlocker Data Recovery Software

We also should notice that exist more common and simpler way to recover files from Bitlocker encrypted storage. These are data recovery software. Of course, not all programs сan cope in such situation but some of them have required function.

The only thing is that you must have a password to unlock the device which was specified when encrypt.

Then it's simple. Connecting device with the information that you want to recover to your computer and getting message.

Further, enter password in a special window after double-clicking on the device you need to recover in “This PC”.

After that, the storage becomes fully accessible for data recovery for any of the Hetman Software programs.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

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