Bitlocker locked my computer

[DazzaSimm]

I never set up bitlocker when i purchased the computer in Jan 26 but a couple of days ago the blue screen with enter the bitlocker recovery key for this drive appeared.

I have tried to wipe to default but it seems `nothing will work.

Any solutions?

I did see the diskpart way to clean the drive but will it also wipe any Windows installation as well?

Help please

[Paul_Tikkanen]

If you didn't print out or save the Bitlocker recovery key to your Microsoft account when you set up the PC (you should have been prompted to do that), without the recovery key, you will never be able to access any files on the drive.

Find your BitLocker recovery key - Microsoft Support

So you will have to reinstall Windows on the PC with the HP cloud recovery tool, or use Diskpart to clean the disk and clean install Windows if you want to use it again.

Here is an info link for how to use the HP cloud recovery tool:

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

[DazzaSimm]

Thanks for your quick reply.

If Diskpart cleans the drive will i have to purchase Windows to install on the drive or does it leave an setup for me to install?

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You do not have to purchase another Windows license/product key.

The Windows product key is encrypted in your notebook's BIOS.

You do not need the product key or even know what it is in order to reinstall Windows.

You can either use the cloud recovery tool to make a bootable USB recovery drive, or you can clean install W11 by making a bootable USB installation flash drive with the Microsoft media creation tool from the ink below.

Download Windows 11

If you use the HP cloud recovery tool-created media, you do not need to use Diskpart.

The utility will automatically format the drive.

A review of how to use Diskpart to clean the disk:

Boot from the installation media and when you get to the part of the script that asks, 'Where do you want to install Windows, do this:

1. Press Shift+F10 from inside Windows Setup screen to open a command prompt window.
2. Type diskpart and press the Enter key.
3. Type list disk to find your disk number.
4. Type select disk (e.g., select disk0) to choose the disk you want to clean.
5. Finally, type clean to wipe the disk completely.
6. Exit diskpart, and continue to install Windows.