BitLocker is a device encryption feature of Windows. If your device was ever signed in to an organization using a work or school email account (@dukes.jmu.edu), your recovery key may be stored in JMU's Azure AD account associated with your device. If your device is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, the following information may help you locate the 48-digit key that you'll need to unlock your device. Here is how you can find your key:
- In a web browser, go to accounts.microsoft.com.
- Click Sign In at the top-right of the page.
- Put in your Device’s Sign-in email account and Password (in this instance, it should be the Dukes email account).
- You will then be prompted for Microsoft MFA.
- Once signed in, select Devices at the top of the screen.
- If multiple devices are signed in with the same Microsoft Account, they will be listed with their either Serial Number or a user-created nickname.
- Select the device you wish to get the BitLocker Key by selecting Manage.
- On the new screen, select Security & Protection and scroll down to the BitLocker data protection section.
- If BitLocker is turned on and a Key has been set, you will be able to retrieve it by selecting View Recovery Keys.
- Copy the key information in a new location, preferably on a USB-device where it can be stored for future use.
- Alternatively, you can use the link below to view all of your accessible recovery keys; however, the consideration is that rarely is the device nickname shown but rather the Device Serial only: https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey?refd=support.microsoft.com