BitLocker’s advanced encryption methods make data on your drive completely inaccessible without a password, protecting important files from malicious actors. But in the event of a lost password/damaged drive, you can still recover encrypted files through the BitLocker Repair Tool.
This article explains everything you need to know about Windows BitLocker recovery using the repair tool, the steps you need to take, and the most common troubleshooting scenarios users encounter.
Prerequisites before using the BitLocker repair tool to repair encrypted drive
- Correct Operating System – The BitLocker Repair Tool is only available on Windows 7 (Enterprise and Ultimate), Windows 8 and 8.1 (Pro, Enterprise), and Windows 10 (Pro, Enterprise, and Education).
- Signed-in as Administrator – Ensure you have the correct privileges to access the BitLocker Repair Tool.
- BitLocker recovery key/password – The BitLocker Repair Tool uses the Password, the Recovery Key, and the Startup Key to recover BitLocker drives.
- Type of drive damage – Run a diagnostic tool for a dedicated hard drive to check for bad sectors which indicate physical damage.
- Back-up of important data – Create a copy of critical system files like your Recovery Key before attempting to fix a broken drive.
- Empty output volume – This must have equal/more storage than your damaged drive.
How to use the BitLocker repair tool (step-by-step guide)
The Password and the Recovery Key are used to repair the entire drive, while the Startup Key is used to recover the OS Drive. Here’s how to use BitLocker Repair Tool in Windows:
Step 1: Open command prompt with administrative privileges
Press Win+X and click on “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated command prompt. You can also use the Start menu to search ‘cmd’ and run the Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2: Locate the encrypted drive and confirm its volume label
Open File Explorer and click on ‘This PC’ to see your available drives. The encrypted drive should be named “BitLocker Drive” with a lock symbol in its icon.
Take note of the the encrypted drive’s Volume letter and the drive you want to transfer the data into, a.k.a. your “output drive” [E.g. BitLocker Drive (H:), Recovery Drive (E:)]. Note that any data on the output drive will be completely overwritten during BitLocker data recovery.
Step 3: Run the BitLocker repair tool command with the necessary parameters
Using a password:
Type the following line in the elevated command prompt. Replace the text with the appropriate drive letters, and press Enter.
repair-bde <source drive letter>: <output drive letter>: -pw -f
Using a recovery key:
For a BitLocker unlock without password, type the following line in the elevated command prompt, replace the text with the BitLocker Drive you wish to recover, and press Enter. The first eight characters of the “Numerical Password” that appears is your BitLocker Key ID.
manage-bde -protectors -get <drive letter>:
Using a startup key:
Type the following line in the elevated command prompt, replace the text in red with the BitLocker Drive you want to recover, and press Enter. Note the path for the .BEK under “External Key File Name”. This is your BitLocker Startup Key.
manage-bde -protectors -get <drive letter>:
Afterwards, enter the command line below and hit Enter.
repair-bde <source OS drive letter>: <output drive letter>: -rk “<Full path of startup key .BEK file>” -f
Step 4: Provide the recovery key or password
Using a password:
If it asks for a password to “unlock this volume”, enter the drive’s BitLocker password.
Using a recovery key:
If it asks for the Recovery Key, go to where you stored your backup and look for the key that corresponds to the Key ID.
Next, type the command below into the elevated command prompt, replace the highlighted text, then press Enter.
repair-bde <source drive letter>: <output drive letter>: -rp <recovery key> -f
Step 5: Save the recovered data to a different drive (if necessary)
You may select a new destination for the decrypted files, but note that the data from the damaged BitLocker drive will delete and overwrite contents on the output volume.
Step 6: Verify recovery and check drive integrity
Lastly, run the ‘chkdsk’ command on the output drive to check and repair any errors if required.
chkdsk <output drive letter>: /f
To check if the recovery process worked, boot your computer and see if you can access your encrypted files normally. You may be prompted for a recovery key.
Alternatively, return to the elevated command prompt, type the command line below, and press Enter to confirm drive integrity.
manage-bde -status <drive letter>
Understanding the BitLocker repair tool
The BitLocker Repair Tool is a Windows utility that allows users to recover data from damaged BitLocker-encrypted drives on the block level via the “repair-bde” command.
Overall, this tool provides an additional method to decrypt BitLocker drives on Windows. However, there are a few things you need to check before using Windows BitLocker Recovery, like which OS you’re currently running, or the type of damage your drive has sustained.
Use the BitLocker Repair Tool when:
- Your BitLocker-encrypted Windows OS doesn’t start
- The BitLocker recovery screen doesn’t appear
- You don’t have a backup for files stored on a compromised drive
LIMITATIONS: A drive that failed to encrypt/decrypt cannot be recovered by the Repair-bde command, which can only assess fully encrypted drives.
Troubleshooting common issues with Windows BitLocker recovery
“Unable to access the drive” error solutions
If you encounter this error message, it’s usually due to a missing/incorrect Recovery Key or issues with the system partitions. Follow the BitLocker Repair Tool steps using the Recovery Key above to try again.
What to do if the recovery key is lost
Depending on how your device was set up, you could also contact your IT department to get your Recovery Key back. Otherwise, you’ll need to choose the Windows recovery option to reset your device, wiping all your files.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft Support cannot recreate or replace a lost Recovery Key with a new one.
Handling partially recovered or corrupted data
In the case of extensive damage and much-needed files, it’s advisable to consult a data recovery professional. But note that most corrupted files should either be replaced or deleted.
Alternative recovery methods if the BitLocker repair tool fails
There are other 3rd-party alternatives you can try like Veracrypt and Symantec, but none are as specialized to work alongside Active Directory like BitLocker.
Best practices for BitLocker encrypted drives
Regularly backing up the BitLocker recovery key
Back up your BitLocker Recovery Key often to lower the chances of you losing access to your encrypted drive and any important files. There are plenty of places to save a copy, including:
- Your Microsoft Account
- A USB flash drive
- A .txt file
- Active Directory
- A printed copy
Avoiding improper drive ejection and sudden shutdowns
Abrupt shutdowns and disconnections can cause partial/faulty encryptions, resulting in data corruption and/or improper storage. To avoid this, eject drives properly and mitigate power outages if they’re common in your area.
Using third-party tools cautiously
Always do your research before using a non-Microsoft application to restore corrupted files or when unlocking BitLocker-encrypted drives.
When to seek professional recovery services
Damaged drives often contain corrupted data that your system won’t be able to recover. Depending on the severity of the damage/the importance of these files, seeking professional help may be your best resort for a full restore.
FAQ
Can I use the BitLocker Repair Tool on an external drive?
Yes, the BitLocker Repair Tool is usable on external hard drives and USB drives.
What if my recovery key is missing?
Find where you stored the backup or contact your IT department to retrieve it.
Does the BitLocker Repair Tool guarantee full data recovery?
The BitLocker Repair Tool lets users attempt to recover files from encrypted drives. However, corrupted files and physical damage can compromise the files within, so the tool doesn’t have a 100% success rate.
Is there a graphical interface for BitLocker recovery?
Yes, the BitLocker Recovery GI is accessed via Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and typically appears when you boot from a Recovery drive or use the advanced startup options on your Windows PC.
What alternative tools exist for BitLocker drive recovery?
There are other alternatives to Bitlocker, such as VeraCrypt, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business, and Symantec Encryption.
Never get locked out again with BitLocker data recovery
To recover files from a BitLocker encrypted drive, secure admin privileges before typing the ‘Repair-bde’ command in the Command Prompt to run the BitLocker Repair Tool. From there, add the necessary parameters and enter the volume letters to assign the drives you’re working with. And lastly, enter the password, recovery key, or startup key to start decrypting your drive.
The continued safety that data encryption brings relies on a proactive backup routine and a robust recovery plan. If you manage to prepare, and keep a spare copy of your system’s Recovery Keys, you’ll never have to worry about getting locked out of encrypted drives ever again!
