Overview
If your Cedar Crest laptop starts with a blue BitLocker Recovery screen instead of the normal Windows sign-in screen, don't panic. Your files are protected by BitLocker, a Windows security feature that encrypts the information stored on your laptop.
Occasionally, Windows may ask for a 48-digit BitLocker recovery key before allowing the computer to start. This can happen after certain Windows updates, BIOS or firmware updates, hardware changes, or when Windows detects a change in the computer's security settings.
What You May See
The BitLocker screen will typically display:
- A message asking you to Enter the recovery key
- A Recovery Key ID
- A field for entering a 48-digit recovery key
Do not reset, reinstall Windows, or erase the laptop. Your recovery key may allow you to start the computer normally without losing your files.
Cedar Crest Laptop for Learners Devices
If you received your HP laptop through Cedar Crest College's Laptop for Learners program, your device is connected to Cedar Crest's Microsoft Entra environment.
Your BitLocker recovery key is managed through the College's Microsoft environment. You do not need to search your personal Microsoft account for the key.
What to Do
- Leave the laptop on the BitLocker Recovery screen.
- Locate the Recovery Key ID displayed on the screen.
- Take a clear photo of the BitLocker Recovery screen or write down the Recovery Key ID.
- Contact the Cedar Crest College IT Help Desk and provide the Recovery Key ID.
- IT staff will locate the recovery key associated with your laptop and provide you with the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.
- Enter the 48-digit recovery key on your laptop and press Enter.
- Windows should continue starting normally.
Still Having Trouble?
If the recovery key is accepted but the laptop returns to the BitLocker screen again, or Windows still will not start, please contact the IT Help Desk for assistance.
When contacting us, please include:
- Your name
- Your Cedar Crest username
- The Recovery Key ID shown on the BitLocker screen
- A photo of the screen, if possible
Important: Never post or share your 48-digit BitLocker recovery key publicly. Treat the recovery key like a password.
Personally Owned Windows Computers
If this is not a Cedar Crest-issued laptop, the recovery key may be stored in the Microsoft account used when the computer was originally set up.
Microsoft provides instructions for locating recovery keys here:
Finding your BitLocker recovery key in Windows
If you are unable to locate the recovery key for a personally owned computer, the IT Help Desk can help you determine your next steps, but we may not have access to the recovery key for personally owned devices.