Locked behind bitlocker recovery can’t reinstall windows

If HP provides an Intel RST/IRST/VMD storage driver for the exact Pavilion x360 model, load that driver in Windows Setup so the installer can detect the SSD, then delete the SSD’s partitions and perform a clean installation.

1. Load the HP storage driver

This applies when the Pavilion has the affected Intel storage-controller configuration. HP documents that Windows 11 installation media might not include the required storage-controller driver, causing Setup to show no internal drive.^1^

1. Find the full product number/model number on the laptop’s label or BIOS information page. “Pavilion x360 m” is not specific enough to select a driver safely.
2. On another PC, open HP’s laptop driver page and enter that exact number.^2^
3. Under Driver-Storage, look for a driver named Intel Rapid Storage Technology, Intel RST/IRST, RAID, or VMD.
4. Download and extract the driver. Copy the extracted folder—not merely the downloaded installer—to the Windows installation USB.
5. Boot the Pavilion from the Windows 11 USB.
6. At Select location to install Windows 11, choose Load driver.
7. Browse to the extracted storage-driver folder. Select the compatible driver and continue.
8. Expected result: the internal SSD appears as a disk with one or more partitions.

If HP does not offer one of those storage drivers for the exact model, do not use a driver from an unrelated Pavilion. Windows 11 driver availability is model-specific.^3^

2. Clean-install Windows after the SSD appears

This permanently erases every file and the BitLocker-encrypted installation on that SSD.

1. Select Install Windows 11 and acknowledge that files, applications, and settings will be deleted.
2. If prompted for a product key, choose I don’t have a product key, then select the same Windows edition previously licensed on the PC.
3. On the installation-location screen, identify the internal system disk carefully.
4. Select each partition on that disk and choose Delete Partition until only Unallocated Space remains.
5. Select that unallocated space and choose Next, then Install.

Microsoft’s clean-install procedure specifies deleting all partitions on the system disk and installing to the resulting unallocated space. Do not delete partitions on another disk if more than one is listed.^4^

If necessary, recreate the USB on another working PC using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.^5^

If the SSD still does not appear

The IRST fix is applicable only when the exact model uses that controller and HP supplies the corresponding driver. If the drive remains absent after loading the correct model-specific driver, check whether the SSD is detected in the HP firmware/BIOS:

• Detected in firmware but absent from Setup: provide HP support with the complete product number and ask for the correct Windows 11 storage-controller driver or storage-mode instructions.
• Absent from firmware as well: Windows Setup cannot install to it; that points away from BitLocker and toward an SSD connection or hardware problem requiring HP diagnostics/service.

Remaining recovery-key possibilities

Since the personal Microsoft accounts were already checked, do not repeat that search. Only check these locations if they might apply:

• A work or school account ever used on the PC.
• A printed copy.
• A USB drive or text file where the key was saved.
• The account of anyone else who originally configured or enabled encryption on the PC.

Use the first eight digits of the recovery key ID shown on the BitLocker screen to match the correct 48-digit key. Microsoft Support cannot retrieve or recreate a missing key; without it, the encrypted files cannot be recovered, and reinstalling removes them.^6^

References

1. HP PCs - No drives can be found during Windows 11 installation (Intel ...
2. Official HP® Laptop Drivers and Software Download | HP® Support
3. HP PCs - Where do I find Windows 11 drivers and software for my model?
4. Reinstall Windows with the installation media | Microsoft Support
5. Create installation media for Windows | Microsoft Support
6. Find your BitLocker recovery key | Microsoft Support