Win 10 Hard Drive Blocked by Bitlocker

You've probably tried a search engine, but in case you haven't, here's one link

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-not-recognizing-an-older-win-10-hdd/17259dd3-2506-4ee1-9e33-c1e6065da41a

Bitlocker is an encryption app, you need the key to unlock it...

To regain access to your encrypted Windows 10 hard drive on a Windows 11 machine, you'll need the BitLocker recovery key. If you have it saved to your Microsoft account, Azure Active Directory, or on a device, log into those accounts or insert the recovery device to unlock the drive. Here's a breakdown of how to locate your BitLocker recovery key and unlock your drive: 1. Finding Your BitLocker Recovery Key

• Microsoft Account:
• If the device was set up or BitLocker was enabled using your Microsoft account, you can access the recovery key by logging into your Microsoft account from another device.
• Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey and sign in with your Microsoft account.
• You should see a list of BitLocker recovery keys associated with your account.

If you can't find the key you might try this method...

https://www.manageengine.com/products/os-deployer/help/how-to-disable-bitlocker-encryption.html

Hi Redneck, am I correct in assuming ( I know thats a dangerous thing to do) that you have acquired a new PC with Win 11 and you want to copy the data from your old PC which uses Win 10 to your new PC ??

Yes that is correct.

I doubt this is useful, but what the heck....

One of my laptops doesnt have the oomph for Win 11 upgrade. No problem other than occasional nag-screen to free-up memory (not possible). With some trepidation I allowed upgrade on another laptop. So far it's all, to my surprise, fine. That said, I've not seen any benefit over Win 10. I think Win 10 support ends October this year, though I'm not phased by that. I've had previous versions work fine well after 'end of support' date.

I've got a bunch of other computers that I keep intending to download data from before scrapping, and wonder if I might encounter similar sometime. I've never knowingly used Bitlocker (and not even heard of it until now).

Good question asked, and I shall follow with interest. I suspect that the next iteration of Windows will be forced upon users in the near future, though the priniples of whatever solution found may still apply. s-mode on Win 10 peed me off and I'm sure they will make the next one even tighter.

Two questions..
1: Why did you not simply update your existing PC to Win 11 from Win 10, especially as the update is free?
2: Have you tried pairing your two PC's over Bluetooth and transferring your data that way ?

I tried to update, but my computer was not hardware compatible with Win 10 when I tried to update.

I cannot access my win 10 drive since Bitlocker locked it out, even when reinstalling it in my original computer or as an external USB drive.

Hi Rednek, I asked Google the question if an Bluetooth Link can override a Bitlocker and the answer came back as YES.
Here is the explanation
Now, to answer your question, yes, any Bluetooth USB dongle does help in dealing with Bitlocker PIN login, as it simulates USB HID which is generally is supported during PC boot up.
Just make sure you disable the Fast Boot & Enable the Secure Boot in your laptop's BIOS to allow enough time to pair the keyboard connection while your laptop is on boot up.
Turn on your laptop, then repeatedly press the F1 key until you see the BIOS Settings. Once there, ensure below settings are met. Once done, reboot your laptop.
1. Startup tab:
• Boot Mode > ensure it's set to "Diagnostics"
2. Security tab:
• Secure Boot > ensure it's "Enabled"
• I/O Port Access > ensure both "Bluetooth" & "USB Port" are Enabled.
3. Config tab > USB > ensure "Always On USB" is Enabled.

You are referring to the Win10 computer bootup, correct? These options are not available on my win 11 Bios.

I will have to is install a KVM cable(I have a couple around here in the shop somewhere) to enable me to switch easily from Win10 to Win 11 computer, since I do not have enough hardware and outlets to do it without removing win11 and reconnecting win10 and back to Win11,etc.

I am a little tied up right now, but I will get to it shortly.*(* A relative term.)

Thanks for the suggestions and I will let you know the results.

I meant that you could use it to bypass the Bitlocker Blocker to regain access to your data on the Win 10 PC. Then that might allow you to transfer the data to your Win 11 PC using Bluetooth..
Also you could try swopping the USB port you used for your external Harddrive, , I have 2 USB Ports on my Laptop but only 1 allows my Cordless mouse to function !
With regard to your comment "I am a bit tied up at the moment" I really didn't need to know about your taste in Bondage !! haha

Hi Rednek, I was thinking about your comment you made where you can't access your Harddrive on your WIN 10 system.. maybe if you change the settings, it will allow you to access the data bypassing the Bitlocker and then you can try and copy the data from your Win 10 to your Win 11 over Bluetooth.
If you do manage to access your data and transfer it, I would delete the Bitlocker or make regular copies to an external storage system.
I don't know how many USB Ports your old PC has but I have found some USB ports limit certain functions so maybe swopping the USB to another port might work.. on my Laptop, I have 2 USB ports but one does not allow my Cordless Mouse to function for example.
As to your comment "I am a little tied up now", I didn't really need to know about your private Bondage preferences ! haha
I guess you haven't got a "Wifit" to go with your "Roundtuit" yet !