Bitlocker-enter recovery key message suddenly appeared on my Windows 10 (Dell xps 13 9360)

Amr Nofal 6 Reputation points
2021-08-20T15:10:26.21+00:00

I have never used or enabled/disabled BitLocker on my windows 10 machine (Dell xps 13 9360), however, today when I power-on my laptop, I got the 'Enter the recovery key for this drive'. I tried to locate my recovery key on my windows account, but it was not there since I never activated it! I tried different solution i found online and in forums, but nothing has helped. I also tried all the recovery options presented by windows as part of the advanced options but nothing has worked and I'm locked out of my laptop. Did anyone face such a situation? I really don't want to lose all my data and applications and install everything from scratch. Any help is great

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows 10 Security
Windows 10 Security
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Security: The precautions taken to guard against crime, attack, sabotage, espionage, or another threat.
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  1. Alex Kumpan 41 Reputation points
    2021-09-08T11:10:48.237+00:00

    It happened 19-21 august 2021 for lot of owner of 9360 due to some automated BIOS update.

    You are not alone ((

    Your chances are:

    1. If you login into corporate MS account - get recovery key from your admin
    2. If you login into personal MS account - key could be on https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey
    3. Downgrade of BIOS to old version could switch off this Bitlocker Recovery Mode

    None of it worked for me, btw.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Alex Kumpan 41 Reputation points
    2021-09-10T08:01:29.753+00:00

    Hi Amr!

    We still have a chance to save our data.
    See - https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-13-9360-Asks-for-BitLocker-after-Update/m-p/8030306/highlight/true#M89422

    In short: Need to downgrade BIOS. It's not possible with BIOS files on Dell support site. To do it you need to replace your HDD, flash any old BIOS (like 2.5.1) setup windows 10 to new HDD and run windows update. It will flash it BIOS and computer COULD go our bitlocker recovery mode after you put old HDD back.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  3. Katherine M. Moss 76 Reputation points
    2021-08-20T19:52:05.91+00:00

    I would seriously recommend you place a call to dell... I think they are beginning to enable Bitlocker on devices by default, particularly the XPS and Latitude models. I haven't found anything about this, but... this is elsewhere it's been seen:
    xps-9365-and-xps-9360-appears-to-have-bitlocker-enabled-by-default

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  4. Amr Nofal 6 Reputation points
    2021-08-25T08:59:26.267+00:00

    I called Dell and Microsoft; each of them is blaming the other. Dell is saying it's windows, while Microsoft is saying it's the dell bios. I have been unsuccessful in accessing my drive after trying multiple suggested solution online. This is very frustrating and both Dell and Microsoft should sit and find a solution to this, since there was no warning and it happened after an automatic update, without and prompt about bitlocker. Saying goodbye to microsoft and windows for good.

  5. Amr Nofal 6 Reputation points
    2021-09-06T08:46:06.38+00:00

    Sorry Alejandro, I haven't found any solution. I checked with Microsoft, Dell, professional tech services, etc. I got nothing except that there is no solution for this, machine needs to be formatted and all data will be lost!

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