Information Technology A to Z Index IT Service Support Request

BitLocker

BitLocker Graphic

What is BitLocker?

BitLocker is Microsoft's built-in Windows tool for encrypting computer hard drives to keep the data secure against theft.  BitLocker also supports USB thumb drives and external hard drives.  When a drive is encrypted, that data can only be accessed upon entering the correct password or recovery key.  A recovery key for each device is backed up to a server in case you or IT ever needs to decrypt a drive due to a forgotten password.

Self-Service Recovery Key Site

If you are ever prompted for a recovery key or have forgotten the password to a BitLocked external/USB drive, you may contact IT or use the web portal bitlocker.eku.edu.  For more details on BitLocker Recovery, you can see this BitLocker Recovery article.

NOTE: You must use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome web browser.

External Drives

While you do not need to remember an additional password for your computer’s built-in drives, an external drive does require a password be created if you will be writing to the drive.
 

See the BitLocker Recovery article for detailed recovery instructions.

Published on April 25, 2017