BitLocker and encrypted drive recovery

A blue screen asking for a 48-digit recovery key, a drive that reports "locked", or an encrypted drive that has started to fail. Encryption does not prevent recovery, but it changes what is needed.

Ask about data recovery Call 020 7237 6805

Two separate problems

The key is missing

The drive is healthy, but Windows or macOS will not unlock it. This is solved by finding the key. Nobody can bypass the encryption, and anyone who says they can should not be trusted with your data.

The drive is failing

The key is known, but the drive has bad sectors, a firmware fault or damaged heads. This is a normal recovery, with a decryption step at the end.

How encrypted drives are recovered

We copy the whole drive first, in its encrypted form, using PC-3000 where the drive has faults. The copy is then unlocked with your recovery key or password and the files are extracted from it. A handful of unreadable sectors need not stop this; the rest of the volume can still be decrypted.

Some external drives, including many WD My Passport models, encrypt everything inside the drive's own electronics even when no password was set. Those have to be read with their original circuit board or have that step reproduced during recovery.

Recovery starts with a professional evaluation, charged at £94.80. It tells you what has failed and what can be recovered, and you then receive a fixed price for the recovery itself.

What we need from you

The BitLocker recovery key, or the FileVault password or recovery key.
For hardware-encrypted external drives, any password you set and the original case and cable.
For work devices, confirmation from the organisation that owns the device.

We collect drives and devices by insured courier from anywhere in the UK, or you can post yours tracked and insured, or bring it to the workshop in London SE1. See how to send a drive safely.

Common questions

I never switched BitLocker on. Why is it asking for a key?

Many Windows 11 laptops encrypt the drive automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account. The key is saved to that account. A firmware update or hardware change can then trigger a request for it.

I cannot find the key anywhere. What are my options?

Check every Microsoft account you have ever used on the laptop, including old or work addresses. Without the key the data cannot be decrypted.

Get a price from a technician

Tell us the make, the model and what has gone wrong. A technician replies with a price and the quickest way to get your laptop to us – normally the same working day.

020 7237 6805

Creative IT workshop
Unit 1, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY
Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm