By default, on computers running Windows 11 24H2 and later, the Device Encryption feature is turned on when a Microsoft account is used to create a user account and sign in.
The Device Encryption feature encrypts all fixed drives, including the drive where Windows 11 is installed.
While restarting your Windows 11 PC or after a hardware change, Windows 11 might ask you to enter the Device Encryption recovery key. Without a correct Device Encryption recovery key, you cannot access the data/files on the encrypted drives.
Luckily, finding the Device Encryption recovery key is easy. Windows 11 automatically backs up the Device Encryption recovery key to your Microsoft account that you used to create an account and sign in to Windows 11.
On a computer (if your Windows 11 PC is not booting up, please try this on a different PC), follow the directions below to view your Device Encryption key.
Find your Windows 11 Device Encryption recovery key
Step 1: Visit this Microsoft page in a web browser of your choice.
Step 2: On the left pane, click Devices.
Step 3: The Devices page shows all devices connected to your Microsoft account. You should be able to find your Windows 11 PC here. If you have more than one Windows 11 PC, please use the PC name or model number to identify the correct PC.
Step 4: On this page, click on your PC’s name.
Step 5: Click Info & support.
Step 6: In the BitLocker data protection section, click the Manage recovery keys link.
Step 7: If you are asked to sign in to your Microsoft account by entering the password/PIN, please do the needful to continue.
Step 8: Finally, the BitLocker recovery keys page should display your Device Encryption key. The Recovery Key column shows your recovery key. You may copy it and save it in a safe location.
The page shows recovery keys for your current PC and old/other PCs if you ever created BitLocker Encryption on a Windows device with the same Microsoft account.
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