Trouble with Bitlocker

Question

I wonder if anyone can help me. Yesterday while searching on Qwant on Firefox  (105.0.1 stated as up to date), the computer froze and I could do little with it although I could call up Task Manager but it would not cancel the process nor could I shut down the computer, details of which are given below. After fruitless head scratching and trying what little I know to resolve this, I switched the computer off by holding the power button for a period of time (>5 seconds). I was NOT using an administrator account. On restarting, which took longer than usual, perhaps not surprisingly, it stated that my PIN could not be found. It did however accept my Microsoft Account password and I logged on. I was then presented with a blue screen entitled BitLocker recovery which required the entry of a recovery key. Although I had heard of BitLocker and  a vague idea of what it was, I had never come across it on my computer before.  Initially, I had no idea of what to do but followed the onscreen instruction to go to aks.ms/recovery/keyfaq.  After some obstruction by Bing, (what a PITA that is – to be avoided at all costs), I found my key and have now hidden that away for the future.  I entered the 48 numbers into the screen as required and could gain access to the computer which operated as normal.  I was also required to reset the date and time which the computer had lost; I did this. On restarting, I was again presented with BitLocker recovery screen and again input the 48 characters and then was able to log in successfully – PIN still missing. Now every time I (re)start, I have to go though this process.  This is, not to put too fine a point on it, an utter pain, takes for ever, is error prone and makes we want to throw the computer at the wall, although I have not yet done this. I have tried as many options as I can find but to no avail.  Does anyone have any suggestions to help resolve this? If so, I would be very grateful to hear any suggestion. I am particularly confused by the fact that I have never enabled Bitlocker nor could have done as the computer cannot have BitLocker installed on it as it uses Windows 10 Home and has no TPM and will thus not accept Windows 11. The details of the computer are Machine – Dell Inspiron 13-5378 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SDD OS – Windows 10 home 64 v 21H1 Processor Intel I5 – 7200 (2.5GHz) Age October 2017 I have managed to gain access to the BIOS, although am unsure that I still can.  This something of an alien landscape to me and I do not think that I have altered anything but have noted that UEFI is selected. I have also noted on the Dell website that this problem can occur on computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt; my machine has neither. I am at a loss as to what to try next so look forward to help from those with greater expertise than mine.  My only remedy for the present is never to Shut Down or Restart.  I am fortunate to have another laptop on which to work but that is not a solution: the problem remains. Thanks

ann_droid · Accepted Answer

Although I had heard of BitLocker and  a vague idea of what it was, I had never come across it on my computer before.   Briefly it blocks the installation of ''unknown'' software, and encrypts the DATA on your Hard Drive.   ~~~~~ https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/change-your-pin-when-you-re-already-signed-in-to-your-device-0bd2ab85-b0df-c775-7aef-1324f2114b19#WindowsVersion=Windows_10   maybe change your PIN to what it was previously?   ##########   I am particularly confused by the fact that I have never enabled Bitlocker nor could have done as the computer cannot have BitLocker installed on it as it uses Windows 10 Home and has no TPM and will thus not accept Windows 11.     W10 HOME can have BitLocker, mine did/does. W11 probably not worth having until 2025 when W10 ends, and by then you may very well have new hardware with W11 already on.   The Register is a good source of info, like this(perhaps you should register with them, I have) ... https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/06/bypass_windows_11_requirements/ The KEY phrase is'AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU'that maybe of use to you.Microsoft sort of 'approved'Microsoft's warnings are severe.A disclaimer explains that the installation 'may result in compatibility issues' and that 'your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates' – though it seems that Microsoft envisages certain scenarios where the bypass may be a good idea, since the heading states 'not recommended unless instructed by support.' You risk invalidating any support or Warranty.       SO CHANGE THE CMOS BATTERY.   If in doubt please ask.

ann_droid · Answer

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-check-if-your-pc-has-trusted-platform-module-tpm

ann_droid · Answer

Hi First and obvious thing is an old/dead CMOS battery.

Crestpot · Answer

Thanks for this suggestion.  I had not considered it as the problem started after a crash.  I have looked into doing this and it is clear to me that I have none of the tools, knowledge or experience to do it myself and I do not fancy experimenting on a mchone that I rely on.  I will therefore have to get someone who knows what they are doing to do this and, no doubt, pay them. No problem with that in principle but it will be next week before I can do this.

Crestpot · Answer

Thanks for this.

I note your explanation of BitLocker. My knowledge of it was that it encrypted HD/SDD but I knew little more and certainly nothing of its operation. The problem came as a surprise therefore.

I have rest the PIN now, to its previous value and it works on wake from sleep (I am not restarting or shutting down for the time being).

I have looked for BitLocker and it is not present. There is somethng called Device Encryption which I think is something a bit similar in W10 Home although may be wrong about that. Trying to get access to that via settings did not work before but has just done so and given me access. The encryption was on and I have now turned it off. Decryption took a while but has now finished. This seems to have solved my problem and I can log in normally on all accounts.

I have Windows 11 on my other laptop (being used to write this) . This was installed by MS one day without bothering to ask me and I have found neither advantage or disadvantage for me; to all intents and purposes it is not different although the oily bits under the bonnet/hood may have changed - waste of time therefore but not a problem.

As it happens, I am aware of El Reg which I look at for entertainment. I miss STFW. However, I have never considered that it might be useful for me, not having a degree in Computer Science nor, indeed, any significant IT knowledge at all. As I have now resolved my problem I will look into what you have suggested as a matter of interest rather than necessity.

This response was drafted at the same time as following suggestions.

I am very grateful to all who responded with helpful advice.

ann_droid · Answer

Prego. Ali Dabbs is a good read.

lmacri · Answer

Hi Crestpot:

I have Win 10 Pro OS so I can manage BitLocker from Control Panel | System And Security | BitLocker Drive Encryption. Since you have a Win 10 Home OS you will not have this option but you may be able to manage BitLocker / Device Encryption using the manage-bde command line tool.

Open an elevated command prompt with Administrator rights and enter the command manage-bde -status to see your protection status. If Protection Status says "Protection On" (my image below shows BitLocker is currently off on my Inspiron 5584) you should be able to use the command manage-bde -off to decrypt your drive and turn off BitLocker. To turn off BitLocker on a specific drive the syntax is manage-bde –off (e.g., manage-bde –off C: to turn off BitLocker on drive C:).

Command Prompt manage_bde_-status BitLocker Status 02 Oct 2022.png

Once decryption is complete your recovery key will be invalidated / cancelled (i.e., if you ever use the command manage-bde -on to turn BitLocker back on to encrypt your drive this will generate a new recovery key). See Susan Bradley's tutorial Command Line Tools to Check the Status of Bitlocker Encryption in the AskWoody forum and Brink's TenForum tutorials How to Check Status of BitLocker Drive Encryption for Drive in Windows 10 and How to Turn On or Off BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 10 for more information.
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64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.2006 * Firefox v105.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2207.7-1.1.19600.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.14.210-1.0.1772 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.6979 * Dell Update Windows Universal v4.6.0 * Inspiron 5583/5584 BIOS v1.20.0
Dell Inspiron 15 5584, Intel i5-8265U CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB Toshiba KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620

Inspiron

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