aka.ms/recoverykey explained
Updated
If Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key, aka.ms/recoverykey opens the Microsoft account page where that key may be saved.
Where the links go
Microsoft uses several short links for the same job. When we checked on 16 October 2026:
| Link | What happened |
|---|---|
| aka.ms/recoverykey | Forwarded to onedrive.live.com/recoverykey, which then led to the Microsoft account sign-in for account.microsoft.com |
| aka.ms/myrecoverykey | Forwarded to account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. This is the link Microsoft's current help article uses. |
| aka.ms/recoverykeyfaq | Ended on Microsoft Support's article Find your BitLocker recovery key |
| aka.ms/aadrecoverykey | For work or school accounts: opened the My Account portal. See our aadrecoverykey guide. |
The first three are for keys saved to a personal Microsoft account. If the PC belongs to an employer or school, start with aka.ms/aadrecoverykey instead.
How to find your key
- Write down the recovery key ID shown on the blue BitLocker screen. Microsoft suggests noting the first 8 characters.
- On another device, open aka.ms/recoverykey (or aka.ms/myrecoverykey) and sign in with the Microsoft account used on the locked PC.
- Find the device in the list of recovery keys.
- Match the key ID. Pick the entry whose key ID matches the one on the BitLocker screen.
- Type the 48-digit key from that entry into the BitLocker screen to unlock the PC.
Microsoft notes that from Windows 11, version 24H2, the BitLocker recovery screen shows a hint of the Microsoft account the key is associated with, which helps if you have more than one account.
Why Windows is asking
BitLocker encrypts your drive and normally unlocks it automatically. Microsoft explains that it asks for the 48-digit recovery key when it cannot unlock the drive on its own, for example after a possible security risk or a hardware change. Firmware updates and changes in UEFI settings are common triggers. External or data drives can also ask for the key if their unlock password is forgotten.
If no key appears
- Someone else set up the PC. Microsoft notes the key may be in the Microsoft account of the person who set up the device or turned on BitLocker.
- It was a work or school PC. The key may be in the organization's account. Try aka.ms/aadrecoverykey or ask that organization's IT team.
- It was saved elsewhere. Look for a printout made when BitLocker was turned on, or a text file on a USB flash drive.
- You used a different personal account. Sign out and try each Microsoft account you have.
Microsoft Support cannot retrieve, provide or recreate a lost recovery key. If the key cannot be found, Microsoft says the remaining option is to reset the device with a Windows recovery option, which removes all files on the drive. Before doing that, check every possible location above.
BitLocker prompts often appear after firmware changes made while preparing for Windows 11; see aka.ms/windowssysreq for the requirements. More links are in our aka.ms links directory.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Why is Windows asking for a BitLocker recovery key?
BitLocker protects your drive and sometimes asks for the key after hardware or firmware changes or a possible security risk. The key proves the drive is yours.
I do not see a key at aka.ms/recoverykey.
The key may be stored under a different Microsoft account, a work or school account, or saved to a printout or USB drive when BitLocker was set up. Check those sources.
Is aka.ms/myrecoverykey the same as aka.ms/recoverykey?
Both lead to the recovery keys stored in a personal Microsoft account. On 16 October 2026, myrecoverykey went straight to account.microsoft.com and recoverykey went there via onedrive.live.com.
Can Microsoft Support recover my BitLocker key?
No. Microsoft says its support cannot retrieve or recreate a lost key. Only places where the key was saved can help.