Unlock secondary BitLocker encrypted drive

vlatkovr

New Member
Messages
3
Hi,

I have 2 drives on my PC. One SSD where Windows 8.1 is installed and a secondary HDD for movies and stuff.
The SSD is Microsoft edrive compliant so I just enabled BitLocker encryption and set a password, i.e. Pass1.

Later I also encrypted the secondary HDD and DID NOT save the recovery keys when doing that. I clicked smth like Automatically unlock or smth when doing that as the secondary drive was always available when logging in to Windows later. No need to enter a separate password.

Now, I formatted the primary SSD and re installed Windows 8.1 but now I don't have the recovery key for the secondary drive. Is all the data lost or I can somehow use the password to unlock it?

Thank You
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Sorry cannot help you with that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
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    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
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    12GB
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    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
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    Realtek HD
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    LCD
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    1366 x 768
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    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
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    Logitech M525
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    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
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    Google Chrome
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    None needed. It is Linux.
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    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Yea. If you haven't saved the recovery keys, it's lost. :(

If someone could un-encrypt with them, there wouldn't be much point in encrypting a drive in the first place
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
09_backup_file_encryption_key.png
Did you not get one of these messages?

Follow by this?
ilokencryptioncertificateissue_zpse309c445.png
It actually appears almost immediately within less than 1 minute after you encrypt something. Sadly there is not much you can do, just move on, and learn to backup encryption keys. Does Bit locker not do this? I don't personally know if it does, if it doesn't it SHOULD! I have a drive that is encrypted by Bitlocker as well, but I don't remember. I did some searching BitLocker recovery keys: Frequently asked questions - Windows Help? Maybe you "accidently" backed up online?

Do you have a system image of previous Windows installation?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD FX 6300
    Motherboard
    GYGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 Rev 3.0
    Memory
    24GB DDR3 (4GB/4GB/8GB/8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 6850
    Sound Card
    Integrated (Realtek HD Audio)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 X 19" monitors
    Screen Resolution
    4580 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD 80GB
    WD 640GB
    WD 1,000GB
    WD 4,000GB
    PSU
    Rosewill Hive-650
    Case
    Antec 300 V2
    Cooling
    Stock Cooling
    Keyboard
    Saitek Eclipse II
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    D: 60Mbps U: 5Mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also have a hub for 6 extra usb port AC powered.
    Microsoft LifeCam 720P
    HP LaserJet Pro M1212NF
    2 x 8 Port GB Switches
    1 X Netgear Router Netgear WNDR3700 v2 W/ DD-WRT
    and Much more
Yes, Bitlocker prompts you to back up your key. At work, we have group policy that saves recovery key to your computer account object in Active Directory.

Should always keep a copy of this, and always separated from your computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
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