Has your Microsoft Surface locked you out and repeatedly asked for the BitLocker recovery key? You can easily fix this by providing the recovery key for your Surface. But how to find the key?

We’ll explain the Microsoft Surface BitLocker recovery key and why you should always know it. Moreover, we’ve prepared four ways to find your recovery key for Surface. These ways also work well for finding the Surface Pro BitLocker recovery key.

In this article
    1. Using Microsoft Account and Onedrive Recovery Key
    2. Using Command Prompt
    3. Using USB Recovery Drive to Reset Surface
    4. Reinstalling OS

What Is a BitLocker Recovery Key for Surface?

BitLocker is automatically enabled on Microsoft Surface devices. It lets you encrypt your internal hard drives and protect your data from unauthorized access. The BitLocker recovery key is stored in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip built into your Surface.

Your Microsoft Surface asks for your BitLocker recovery key, a 48-digit numerical password that unlocks your encrypted hard drives. The recovery key is not the BitLocker password you set for unlocking the drive but the unique numerical sequence that’ll regain access to your Surface.

Reasons Why You Should Know Your Recovery Code at Any Time

microsoft surface bitlocker recovery screen

Knowing your BitLocker recovery key can save you a lot of trouble. If you made changes to the Surface hardware or system boot configurations, you’ll be asked to provide your BitLocker recovery key. If you know the key, you’ll fix the problem in a few seconds.

Moreover, if you exceed the number of login tries for your BitLocker, you’ll be locked out with the screen asking you to provide the BitLocker recovery key for your Surface. Since human error is common, knowing your Surface BitLocker recovery key would be a lifesaver.

How to Find BitLocker Recovery Key for Microsoft Surface

If your Microsoft Surface laptop has locked you out and keeps asking for the BitLocker recovery key, you can fix the problem by providing the key. We’ve prepared a few methods to help you find your Microsoft Surface BitLocker recovery key and regain access to your computer.

icon note
Note: You can also learn how to do it by watching the video below.

Using Microsoft Account and Onedrive Recovery Key

The first time you logged into your Surface device, your BitLocker recovery key was saved on the OneDrive cloud storage on your Microsoft Account. You can find the BitLocker recovery key on your Microsoft account.

Follow these steps to find your recovery key using your Microsoft account and OneDrive:

  1. Open the Microsoft OneDrive page and log into your Microsoft Account.
  2. Once logged in, find your Surface laptop in the Devices & activity section.
  3. Click on Get BitLocker keys next to it.
    get bitlocker keys from microsoft account
  4. That will open a new section with your BitLocker recovery keys.
    bitlocker recovery key on microsoft account

Using Command Prompt

Another way to find your BitLocker recovery key for your Microsoft Surface is to use the Command Prompt. The Command Prompt will provide the BitLocker recovery key with the right command.

Follow these steps to find your BitLocker recovery key using the Command Prompt:

  1. Press the Windows key and click on Power.
  2. Now hold the Shift button and select Restart.
  3. This will open the Choose an Option menu. Select Troubleshoot and go to the Advanced Options.
    choose troubleshoot from options
  4. In the Advanced Options, select Command Prompt.
    open command prompt
  5. Type the command manage-bde -protectors C: -get and press Enter.
    enter command to get recovery key

Using USB Recovery Drive to Reset Surface

Another way to fix the problem of BitLocker asking for a recovery key is to use the USB recovery drive for Surface. First, you’ll need to create a USB recovery flash drive, which you can use to reset Surface. Before you start, make sure to download the recovery image .zip file.

Follow these steps to use the USB recovery drive to reset Surface:

  1. Insert your USB flash drive into your Surface laptop.
  2. Type recovery drive into the taskbar search box and open Recovery Drive.
    open recovery drive
  3. Select Yes in the User Account Control and check the box next to the Back up system files to the recovery drive. Click Next.
    back up system files recovery drive
  4. Select your USB and click Create. When it’s done, click Finish.
  5. Double-click on the recovery image zip file and select all the files from the folder. Copy them to the USB recovery drive and select Choose to replace the files in the destination.
  6. Now, you can safely remove your USB recovery drive.
  7. Hold the Shift button and press Restart. This will open the Choose an Option menu.
  8. Select Troubleshoot and then select Reset this PC.
    reset your surface
  9. Once you’ve reset your Surface, use the USB recovery drive to recover your system.

Reinstalling OS

The last resort for fixing the BitLocker recovery key problem is reinstalling the Windows OS on your Microsoft Surface.

You can follow these steps to reinstall your Windows OS:

  1. Press the Windows key and open Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security.
    open update and security
  3. In the Recovery section, select Get Started.
    get started with reinstalling os
  4. When the prompt appears, select the option to delete all files.
  5. Click Reset and let your Surface install the latest Windows version.
    reset and reinstall windows
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Note:You have to be cautious of the fact that reinstalling the OS will result in data loss. You can use Wondershare Recoverit to solve this problem.

Recoverit is a data recovery tool that can support over 1000 file formats and 500 scenarios. It always has your back when you need to retrieve vital data after reinstalling the OS.

Wondershare Recoverit
  • Manages over 500 data loss situations, such as deletion, formatting, and disk corruption.
  • The user-friendly interface allows you to recover data in just a few clicks.
recoverit boxrecoverit logo

Here’s how to do:

  1. Install and open Wondershare Recoverit on your Surface.
  2. Go to the Hard Drives and Locations section, select the hard drive you want to recover files from, and click Start.
    hard drives and locations section
  3. This will start scanning your hard drive. You can monitor the scanning process at the bottom of the screen.
    monitor the scanning process
  4. Once the scan is done, preview the recovered files. If you’re satisfied, press Recover.
    preview the recovered files
  5. Select the destination for the recovered files.
    set destination for recovered files

Conclusion

If your Microsoft Surface device keeps asking you for the BitLocker recovery key, the easiest fix would be to provide it with the recovery key. However, if you lose your Surface BitLocker recovery key, our guide can be your lifesaver. You can find your Surface BitLocker recovery key using your Microsoft Account and OneDrive or using Command Prompt. Moreover, you can use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface or reinstall your Windows.

These methods also work when you want to find the recovery key for Surface Pro. No worries if you lose your data after reinstalling the OS because Recoverit is always at your service.

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FAQ

  • Why is my Surface Pro asking for a BitLocker recovery key?
    Your Surface device can ask for the BitLocker recovery key for numerous reasons, such as changing the system boot configuration, changing your Surface’s hardware, or entering the wrong password too many times.
  • I don’t know my BitLocker recovery key. What can I do?
    Most users lose their BitLocker recovery key. However, you don’t need to worry. You can find your Microsoft Surface BitLocker recovery key using the Command Prompt or Microsoft Account.
  • Will resetting my Microsoft Surface fix the BitLocker recovery screen?
    Yes, you can reset your Microsoft Surface to evade the BitLocker recovery key screen. You can reset your Surface device by going to the startup, then Choose an option menu > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Alex Nappi
Alex Nappi Dec 06, 24
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