How to get my Bitlocker Recovery Key

Vera Bangs 0 Reputation points
2026-09-27T10:48:05.4366667+00:00

I am going to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey but can't get past the sign in page. It asks for a verification code but nothing appears. Have looked in junk folder,nothing there. Then the code appears in my inbox about 3 hours later and when I type it in it is not recognised. Seems I am not the only one with this problem. Something needs to change!!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup
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  1. Thomas4-N 22,380 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-01T07:38:02.6466667+00:00

    Hello Vera Bangs,

    I’m sorry the verification code is arriving too late to use. That means you’re blocked at Microsoft account sign-in, before you can view any recovery key saved there.

    If the sign-in screen offers another verification method, please try that. Otherwise, the way around this page is to check whether the BitLocker key was saved elsewhere, such as a printout or USB drive, or in the Microsoft account of someone who set up the device.

    If none of those applies, unfortunately I don’t know of a way to bypass account verification to view a key stored in that account. Microsoft Support also cannot retrieve or recreate the BitLocker key.

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  2. Vera Bangs 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-27T10:50:49.2366667+00:00

    Doesn't really solve my problem. I know its not working but there must be a way round it

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-27T10:48:22.5866667+00:00

    If the BitLocker recovery page is stuck at sign-in or verification codes arrive too late to use, the supported steps are:

    1. Open the recovery key page in an InPrivate or Incognito browser window and try again.
    2. If a VPN is enabled, temporarily disable it and retry.
    3. Try a different network, such as a mobile hotspot, and then open the recovery key page again.
    4. If the verification prompt shows phone or email details that are unfamiliar, first confirm the Microsoft account is correct, including the full domain such as .com or .co.uk, and check for spelling differences in the account name.
    5. If access to the listed verification methods is no longer available, select I don't have any of these during sign-in and follow the prompts to recover the account.
    6. If the recovery key page still does not load correctly after that, this can be a server-side issue. In that case, retry later.

    Important facts about the BitLocker key:

    • The BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number.
    • Microsoft Support cannot retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key.
    • For a personal device, the key is typically attached to the Microsoft account used when BitLocker or Device Encryption was activated.
    • For a work or school device, the key is typically managed by the organization.

    If this is a work or school device, the recovery key may be available through the Company Portal website:

    1. Sign in to the Company Portal website.
    2. Go to Devices.
    3. Select the locked PC.
    4. Select Get recovery key.
    5. Select Show recovery key.

    If no key is found there, contact the organization’s IT support.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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