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What is BitLocker?
BitLocker encrypts the hard drive(s) on your Windows Enterprise. BitLocker drives can be encrypted with 128-bit or 256-bit encryption, which protects your data in the event the computer is lost or stolen.
BitLocker protects your hard drive from offline attacks. This is the type of attack where a malicious user will take the hard drive from your mobile machine and connect it to another machine so they can harvest your data.
BitLocker also protects your data if a malicious user boots from an alternate Operating System. With either attack method, BitLocker encrypts the hard drive so that when someone has physical access to the drive, the drive is unreadable.
My computer is asking for a Recovery Key! How can I unlock my device?
Contact IT Support Services at 530-898-4357.
Please have your username, the computer name or asset tag, and the recovery ID ready. It is helpful to take a picture of the screen with your phone for easy reference if the system shuts down before you’re able to read the recovery ID.
This information will be helpful to report to ITSS to determine what caused the BitLocker issue:
- What changed recently with the computer?
- Did it lose power, or drain its battery?
- Was any hardware added or removed recently?
- Has this happened before?
When you call, the technician will ask you the questions above and provide a long numeric code that will unlock the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BitLocker do or not do?
BitLocker does encrypt the hard drive(s) to protect the Operating System and your files from offline attacks and physical theft. BitLocker does not protect the computer's contents while Windows is running. BitLocker is built for offline attacks.
More detail: BitLocker overview (Microsoft Support)
What types of computers are encrypted?
All campus-managed Windows desktops and laptops/tablets are protected with BitLocker. This is set up during the imaging process and no user interaction is required.
You will notice that your system drive icon will have a padlock icon on it. This is how you will know it's protected.
What causes the BitLocker screen to appear?
An event occurred that caused Bitlocker to engage. This may be swapping of a hard drive, a hardware change, or a change to some internal component of the computer (such as a BIOS upgrade) without properly suspending Bitlocker.
This information will be helpful to report to ITSS to determine what caused the BitLocker issue:
- What changed recently with the computer?
- Did it lose power, or drain its battery?
- Was any hardware added or removed recently?
- Has this happened before?
Here are some events that can cause Bitlocker Recovery: BitLocker recovery overview (Microsoft Support).
Still need help? Contact IT Support Services for further assistance.
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