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OK so I have a w7 laptop encrypted with bitlocker
I have the windows password
OS does not boot up to desktop, get to log in screen but freezes/stalls after inputting password.
What I don't have is the recovery key so no safe mode boot or sticking it into a caddy.
Obviously the drive is full of very important data.
Any ideas?
Yes I'm googling away but thought I'd try you guys.
Corporate machine (joined to a domain), or a standalone?
If the former, the recovery key should be stored in AD and an administrator will be able to get it for you. If the latter, you (or whoever set it up) will have been prompted to save the recovery key or print it out.
Either way, if you don't have it and can't get it, you're screwed. Sorry. That's kind of the point of encrypting hard drives.
stand alone and yes key should have been saved, this important data should have been backed up elsewhere too. Forgot to mention that the HDD is on it's way out aswell, I need access to the encryption to try a data recovery. Unfortunately what should have happened doesn't help me now 😕
your IT Admin have to sort it - with Bitlocker it's a few goes at the Bitlocker Password and then it's only recoverable by IT support.
Windows password is irrelevant.
1234
Could probably crack it if you rent a Cray for a couple of years.
or 4321.
p455w0rd
sorry, just noticed you've got the password and are missing the key:
k3y
If you can get to a login screen, I'd have thought you could bring it up in Safe Mode, even with Bitlocker? Hammer F8 on boot to get the boot menu.
Take you usb drive out and restart it - works 9 times out of ten
stealth edit - thats my standard reply when people here get stuck on the bitlocker screen at boot
hello.your IT Admin have to sort it
Cougar you need bitlocker recovery key to get into safe mode (well you do on this system - surprised me too)
After much trial and error (and hours and hours of waiting) I managed to get a command prompt open and got a peek at the recovery key. Dunno how much data we'll get off it but it's a start.