Find your BitLocker recovery key

Retrieve the BitLocker recovery key for a SUNY Plattsburgh Windows computer assigned to you, match the Recovery Key ID, and contact ITS if the key is unavailable.

If your SUNY Plattsburgh Windows computer displays a BitLocker recovery screen, you may be able to retrieve its key through your Plattsburgh Microsoft work or school account. Use these steps for a university computer assigned to you. Your account must be associated with that computer; key availability depends on the computer's setup and university access policies.

A recovery key is the 48-digit number that unlocks an encrypted drive. The Recovery Key ID identifies which key to use; it does not unlock the computer. Neither is your account password.

Retrieve your recovery key

1. On the locked computer, note the first eight characters of the Recovery Key ID.
2. On another device with internet access, open Microsoft's work or school recovery page.
3. Sign in with your SUNY Plattsburgh work or school account and complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) if prompted. If asked to choose an account type, select Work or school account.
4. Select Devices, then select or expand the university computer you need to unlock. Select View keys in the BitLocker keys section. The SUNY asset tag can help you identify the computer name, but it does not replace matching the Recovery Key ID.

   

   Screenshot 1: Expand the correct university computer, then select View keys.

5. Find the entry whose BitLocker recovery key ID matches the Recovery Key ID on the locked computer. A computer can have multiple drives or keys, so match the ID rather than choosing the first or newest entry.

   

   Screenshot 2: Match the Recovery Key ID before selecting View recovery key. Multiple entries can appear for different drives or keys; the IDs are obscured in this example.

6. Select View recovery key for the matching entry. Enter that entry's 48-digit recovery key on the locked computer and follow the on-screen instructions.
7. When finished, sign out of the account page, especially on a borrowed or shared device.

If you cannot retrieve the key

Contact the ITS Helpdesk if the computer or key is unavailable, no Key ID matches, sign-in is blocked, or the recovery screen keeps returning.

• Call 518-564-4433 or email helpdesk@plattsburgh.edu.
• Have the computer name or SUNY asset tag, Recovery Key ID, and any error message ready.
• Do not disable or delete the device from your Microsoft account as a troubleshooting step.
• Do not reset or reinstall Windows without ITS assistance; doing so can erase your files.

Protect your recovery key. Never post or email the 48-digit key, or include it in a support ticket or screenshot. Share the Recovery Key ID with ITS when needed to identify the correct key.

Microsoft guide and video

Find your BitLocker recovery key includes written instructions, screenshots, and a video. Follow the work or school account section.