Article Number: 000128275
This article explains what to do if Windows BitLocker asks for a recovery key upon booting up your USB type-C or Thunderbolt 3 equipped system.
BitLocker is an encryption function of the Windows operating system. You may encounter an issue where BitLocker asks for a recovery key every time you boot up your system. This issue has been found to occur on systems with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 (TBT) ports.
BitLocker monitors the system for changes to the boot configuration. When BitLocker sees a new device in the boot list or an attached external storage device, it prompts you for the key for security reasons. This is normal behavior.
This problem occurs because boot support for USB-C/TBT and Pre-boot for TBT are set to On by default. Turning these options off in the BIOS removes any USB-C/TBT devices from the boot list, and BitLocker does not see them.
The only negative effect of this configuration change is that you cannot perform a PXE boot from a USB-C/TBT dongle or dock.
To resolve the issue, please follow the steps below.
Once you have made these changes, the system should not prompt for the BitLocker key on every boot.
For further support and guidance, please view our instructional video "Resolve BitLocker Recovery Key Prompts."
Dell Dock WD15, Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16, Dell Precision Dual USB-C Thunderbolt Dock - TB18DC, Latitude 5280/5288, Latitude 7280, Latitude 5480/5488, Latitude 7480, Latitude 5580, Precision 3520
21 Feb 2021
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