Microsoft has started enabling Bitlocker(hard drive encryption) in the background on Windows 10 and 11 PC’s and if you’re not aware of this you could lose all of your data if an update changes the configuration of your machine(which they can do without notice) which invokes the Bitlocker Recovery procedure. If you do not have the Bitlocker Recovery key or know where to find it you WILL lose everything on the PC.
Check your drives in Windows Explorer, if one of the drives looks like the picture with a padlock on it then you need to take steps to ensure you have the Bitlocker recovery key. If none of the drives have the padlock symbol then you can stop reading this article.
Most likely the recovery key will be stored under the devices details in your Microsoft account if you are logging into the computer with a Microsoft account.
If you are not logging into Windows with a Microsoft account then you need to take some action to protect your data(you may need our assistance for some of these steps:
-Turn off bitlocker on the affected drive
-Print or save the recovery key to somewhere other than the affected PC
Note: There is no substitute for good backups. Ask us how we can setup fully automated, monitored, unlimited GB backups for you for the precious data on your PC
