How to FORMAT Bitlocker Encrypted DISK Without KEY (2024) in Window 10/11

Summary

The video discusses how to recover access to a Windows computer if you've forgotten your BitLocker PIN, password, or recovery option. It guides users through formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows as a last resort. The process involves creating a bootable USB for Windows 10 or 11, accessing the command prompt, selecting the correct disk and partition, formatting the drive, and reinstalling the operating system. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and join the channel's membership for personalized tech support.

Takeaways

• 🔒 Forgetting a BitLocker PIN or recovery option can be frustrating, leaving users unable to access their computer.
• 💾 In such cases, formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows is often the only solution.
• 💻 A bootable USB with Windows 10 or 11 is required to reinstall the operating system after formatting.
• ⏳ Pressing the Escape key on the BitLocker screen allows users to access the BitLocker recovery option.
• 🔧 After skipping the drive, troubleshooting through the command prompt is necessary to format the partition.
• 🖥️ The 'diskpart' command helps identify the disk and volume where Windows is installed.
• 📂 Use commands like 'select disk', 'list volume', and 'create partition' to prepare the drive for formatting.
• ⚙️ The drive should be formatted using the 'NTFS' file system with the appropriate drive letter (e.g., C).
• 🔌 After formatting, the bootable USB must be connected to reinstall Windows, following the installation instructions.
• ✅ Windows reinstallation is straightforward, and users can choose to input a product key or let it detect automatically.

Q & A

What should you do if you forget your BitLocker PIN or password and don’t have a recovery option?

If you forget your BitLocker PIN or password and don’t have a recovery option, you will need to format the drive, which will result in the loss of all data. Afterward, you must reinstall Windows using a bootable USB.

What is the first step to take after seeing the BitLocker screen asking for a PIN or password?

The first step is to press the Escape key to access the BitLocker recovery screen.

How do you skip the drive in the BitLocker recovery screen?

In the BitLocker recovery screen, you can skip the drive by selecting the 'Skip this drive' option located in the right-hand corner.

What command do you need to run in the Command Prompt to begin formatting the partition?

You need to run the 'diskpart' command in the Command Prompt to begin the process of formatting the partition.

How do you find out which disk contains your Windows operating system?

You can find out which disk contains your Windows operating system by running the 'list disk' command in the Command Prompt and then identifying the disk with your OS based on the disk size or number.

How do you select the correct disk to format?

You select the correct disk by typing 'select disk' followed by the disk number (e.g., 'select disk 0' for Disk 0).

What is the next step after selecting the correct disk?

After selecting the correct disk, you need to list the volumes by running the 'list volume' command to identify the correct partition, usually the C drive, where Windows is installed.

How do you format the selected partition?

You format the selected partition by typing 'format fs=NTFS label=C quick', replacing 'C' with the appropriate drive letter if necessary, followed by 'assign letter=C'.

What happens after you format the partition and exit the Command Prompt?

After formatting the partition and exiting the Command Prompt, the computer will not boot up because Windows is no longer installed. You will need to reinstall Windows using a bootable USB.

What are the steps to install Windows using a bootable USB after formatting the drive?

To install Windows, connect the bootable USB, select it as the boot option, and follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. You can choose to skip the product key entry if needed, select the same edition, agree to the terms, and complete the installation.

Outlines

00:00

🔐 How to Recover from a Forgotten BitLocker Pin or Password

This paragraph introduces a common issue Windows users face: forgetting their BitLocker pin, password, and recovery options. The situation can be frustrating since it prevents access to the computer, and the only solution may be to format the drive. This process involves losing all data and reinstalling Windows. The video aims to guide users on how to create a bootable Windows USB for reinstalling Windows 10 or 11. The presenter also encourages viewers to like and subscribe, mentioning a membership option for direct PC and laptop support.

05:02

🔄 Steps to Bypass BitLocker and Prepare for Drive Formatting

This section explains the step-by-step process of dealing with the BitLocker screen. It instructs users to press the Escape key for BitLocker recovery and provides details on navigating to the command prompt through troubleshooting options. The guide proceeds to explain how to use 'diskpart' commands to select and format the primary partition (usually the C drive). This section emphasizes ensuring the correct disk and volume are selected before formatting and guides the user on formatting with NTFS, assigning a drive letter, and exiting the command prompt.

💻 Completing the Windows Reinstallation Process

In this final part, the video outlines how to reinstall Windows after formatting the disk. Once the bootable USB is connected, users are guided through the installation process. This includes selecting the Windows version, entering or bypassing the product key, and creating partitions if necessary. The installation process for both Windows 10 and 11 is briefly explained. The video concludes with a reminder to like, subscribe, and a farewell message to the viewers.

Keywords

💡BitLocker

BitLocker is a security feature in Windows that encrypts the hard drive to protect data from unauthorized access. In the video, users are struggling to access their system because they forgot the BitLocker PIN or password, emphasizing the challenges of encrypted drives when recovery options are unavailable.

💡Recovery

Recovery in this context refers to the process of regaining access to a locked or encrypted drive. The video discusses how users who forget their BitLocker PIN or password might attempt recovery by pressing the Escape key, but if this fails, formatting becomes the only option.

💡Formatting

Formatting is the process of wiping all data from a storage device and preparing it for new data. In the video, formatting is suggested as the last resort for users who cannot recover their BitLocker credentials, as it allows for reinstallation of Windows but results in data loss.

💡Bootable USB

A bootable USB is a flash drive configured to install or repair an operating system. The video explains how users must create a bootable USB with Windows installation files after formatting the drive to reinstall the operating system.

💡Disk Partition

A disk partition is a section of a hard drive that functions as a separate unit. The video demonstrates how to navigate disk partitions using the command prompt to identify where Windows is installed before formatting the system.

💡Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a command-line interpreter in Windows that allows users to execute commands. In the video, the Command Prompt is used to access disk management tools to select, format, and assign partitions before reinstalling Windows.

💡Windows Installation

Windows installation refers to the process of setting up the Windows operating system on a computer. The video covers how to reinstall Windows using a bootable USB after formatting the drive, guiding users through selecting the correct version and entering a product key.

💡Primary Partition

The primary partition is the main section of a hard drive where the operating system is installed. The video emphasizes identifying the correct primary partition (usually C:) before formatting, as this is where Windows resides.

💡NTFS

NTFS (New Technology File System) is the standard file system for Windows drives. The video instructs users to format the disk with the NTFS file system when setting up the primary partition for reinstallation of Windows.

💡Product Key

A product key is a unique code required to activate Windows. In the video, users are prompted to enter their product key during the installation process, but the video also mentions an option to skip this if the key is unknown, allowing Windows to automatically detect it later.

Highlights

Forgetting your BitLocker PIN or password can prevent you from accessing your computer, requiring drastic measures like formatting your drive.

If the BitLocker recovery options are unavailable, formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows is the only solution.

Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 10 or 11 is necessary for reinstalling the operating system.

To access the BitLocker recovery screen, press the 'Escape' key from the lock screen.

On the BitLocker recovery screen, select 'Skip this drive', followed by 'Troubleshoot', 'Advanced options', and 'Command Prompt' to initiate recovery.

In the Command Prompt, use 'diskpart' to manage disks and partitions for the formatting process.

List available disks using the 'list disk' command and select the correct disk where the operating system is installed using 'select disk [number]'.

Identify the system volume (usually C drive) with the 'list volume' command, and then select it for formatting.

To format the drive, use the 'format FS=NTFS label=[drive letter] quick' command, ensuring the drive is properly formatted.

Reassign the drive letter using the 'assign letter=[drive letter]' command to finalize the format.

After formatting, exit Command Prompt and turn off the PC. The system will now need a fresh Windows installation.

Connect the bootable USB drive to the PC and change the boot order to prioritize the USB for installation.

Follow the standard Windows installation procedure by selecting 'Install now' and choosing the correct Windows edition.

If prompted, enter your Windows product key or select 'I don't have a product key' for automatic detection.

After installation, you can partition the drive or skip this step to proceed with the Windows installation, completing the recovery process.

Transcripts

welcome back everyone so I have seen

many windows user who forget their bit

Locker pin or password and even they

don't remember the recovery option and

this can be really frustrating as you

are not able to log in to your computer

and even you are not able to reset it so

during such scenarios you have only one

option that is to format your drive

completely where you will be losing all

your data and you will have to install

the windows again and in order to

install the windows again you will need

to create a bootable windows USB that

will be for Windows 10 or 11 whichever

you are using so without any delay let's

quickly get it

[Music]

started and before starting guys make

sure if this video help you out then

please hit the like subscribe as it will

not cost you anything but will surely

help my channel to bring more and more

valuable videos for you you can also

join my membership where you can live

chat with me to fix any of your PC and

laptop problem

all right so once you are on this bit

Locker screen that says enter the pin or

password to unlock this drive now here

at the bottom you will find it says

press Escape for bit Locker recovery so

from your keyboard you will have to

press the Escape key and it will say

preparing bit Locker recovery so wait

until you get the next screen and then

you will be coming to this kind of page

now here you have to look for skip this

drive option that will be on the very

right hand corner so click on skip this

drive

then you'll have to click on

troubleshoot then click on Advanced

option and then click on command prompt

now this will list you the black window

and here we have to run some command in

order to format the partition completely

so first you have to write here disk

part hit the enter key and we will be

now in the disk partition so now we need

to find out that how many dis are there

so for that you have to type list space

disk and then hit the enter key so now

on my end I have only one disk that is

disk zero that is my primary device

where my operating system has been

installed on your end you may have

multiple disks so you have to look for

the one where your windows has been

installed okay so now you will have to

select it by typing

select space disk space then the disk

number so on my end it's disk zero so I

will type zero

and then hit the enter key so now this

dis will be selected and now we need to

find out the volume where exactly the

operating system has been installed for

that you have to type list Space volume

again hit the enter key and now it will

list you all kind of volume created in

your disk and here you have to look for

the one that is your primary partition

where the windows has been installed so

majority of the time it's C drive and

you can also find out by looking over

the size so again on my end it's volume

one that is C drive and next you have to

type create space p t that is for

partition then P that is for primary

again hit the End Key now we need to

format it so type

format space FS equal sign NTFS space

label equal sign the you have to type

the drive letter so on my end it's

volume C so I will type c but on your

end if the windows has been installed in

D or E then you have to type the same

Drive

letter again give a space and then type

quick and hit the enter key again so

once it get completed next you have to

type format space FS equal sign

NTFS space

label equals sign

surface space and quick again hit the

enter key and now the last command will

be assign space letter equal sign and

type the same Drive letter C again hit

the ENT key and now you're all done so

now your dis has been completely

formatted and this time when you exit

out from here the computer will not be

booting up because there is no data

there is no windows and now you will

have to install the windows again using

your boot table USB okay so I will type

exit here and hit the enter key and

close the command prompt click on turn

off your PC and this time when I start

the computer I will be getting the error

that there is no dis available or no

partition found okay so now let me

connect my bootable USB and then I will

be installing the windows 11 again so

once you have connected the USB you need

to boot with that particular USB using

the boot priy order hit any key to load

with the USB and then you will be

getting the windows 11 installation page

so now here you have to follow the

instructions you will have to click on

next click on install now and then you

have to follow the same steps as

installing Windows 11 or Windows 10

whichever you want to install next if

you remember the product key then you

can enter it or you can simply click I

don't have a product key it will

automatically detect it then you have to

CH the same addition that you were using

before click on next check the agreement

box click on next click on custom now

here if you want to create any kind of

partition then you can create it I will

not be creating as of now so I will

click on next and the installation of

windows will be started all right so

after this there is a very simple steps

to apply so you can go ahead and install

Windows once again and then you can

enjoy your computer without any kind of

problem so that's all guys for today

hopefully you found this video helpful

if yes do not forget to like And

subscribe and I see you in the next

video bye-bye