Windows Update BitLocker failure

[GregPloc]

My laptop in model HP 15-ef20132dxI. I have experienced a "Windows Update BitLocker failure"

After a Windows update, every boot gets me a request for the computer's  BitLocker key, 

I never enabled BitLocker.

How do I regain use of my laptop? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

See this link for the various methods to find the Bitlocker key.

Find your BitLocker recovery key - Microsoft Support

If you can't find the Bitlocker key, you will need to reinstall Windows on the drive.

The data on the drive is forever unrecoverable.

[GregPloc]

I purchased this laptop from Amazon, never had a Bitlocker key, and a Windows update activate activated  Bitlocker and Microsoft , so far, has no solution.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I have already given you the only solution there is in your situation.

When you don't have a Bitlocker recovery key, you have to reinstall Windows on the drive.

Otherwise, you will have an expensive paperweight.

I once updated the BIOS and for no reason, it activated Bitlocker.

I had no idea how or why it happened, just like you.

Fortunately, I had remembered when I set up the PC, it asked me if I wanted to export the Bitlocker recovery key to my Microsoft account.

Using the key I had exported; I was able to get back in without having to reinstall Windows.

Then last year, I noticed an open padlock icon on my C:\ drive, which means Bitlocker is active.

I didn't turn it on, so I had to turn off Bitlocker again.

So, every now and then I go to 'This PC and make sure my C:\ drive has no open padlock icon on it.

You have two options to reinstall windows:

1. See if your notebook is supported by the HP Cloud recovery tool which you can use to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for this.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Support

2. Your other option is to clean install W11by making a bootable USB installation flash drive with the media creation tool fro m the link below (2nd option).

Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)

After W11 has completed installing, you can install the drivers and available software from your notebook's support page.