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Recovery Key

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Retrieve Recovery Key using Endpoint Central
  3. Retrieve Recovery Key using Active Directory Users And Computers
  4. Recovery Key Retention Policy

Introduction

A recovery key is a 48-bit string used to unlock an encrypted hard drive when the password is forgotten. Even if the hardware is severely damaged, the drive's contents can still be recovered by installing it in another computer and providing the correct recovery key. It is also useful when the user forgets their password.

Once a BitLocker encryption policy is deployed, the configuration process begins during the PC boot, generating a recovery key automatically. Admins can create or modify BitLocker policies to ensure the recovery key is updated in the domain controller.

NOTE: Both Windows AD and Azure AD support recovery keys backup.

To simplify recovery key retrieval, it is recommended to back up the key in the domain controller. Follow these steps:

  • Ensure the group policy (GPO) for all managed computers allows the recovery key to be updated in the domain controller. Refer to this page for details regarding BitLocker Group Policy Settings.
  • In the product console, navigate to BitLocker > Policy creation > Create policy. Enable the option "Update recovery key to domain controller". To learn more about the option and configuring BitLocker policies, refer to this page.

NOTE: Enabling this option ensures that every newly generated key is automatically updated in Active Directory.

Ways to retrieve Recovery Key

  • Through Endpoint Central's console
  • Through Active Directory Users And Computers

Retrieve Recovery Key using Endpoint Central

The recovery key is automatically generated during BitLocker configuration and can be backed up in AD for domain users. If the end user forgets their PIN or passphrase, the admin can retrieve the recovery key using these steps:

  • Finding recovery key identifier: Located under Managed systems in the console, the recovery key identifier helps locate the recovery key for a specific computer.

    Retrieve Recovery Key

  • Retrieving recovery key: Enter the recovery key identifier or computer name in the Retrieve Recovery Key section to access the recovery key. Once accessed, the key will rotate at the machine's next startup.

    Show Recovery Key

Note: A new recovery key is automatically generated upon the next system reboot if the existing key is accessed via Endpoint Central after deploying a BitLocker policy.

Retrieve Recovery Key using Active Directory Users And Computers

Admins can manage Active Directory objects using the Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) console, which can also be used as a Remote Server Administration tool (RSAT) to to retrieve the recovery key from a Windows machine. Follow these steps:

  • Open the Active Directory Users And Computers console.
  • Open the 'Properties' tab of the managed computer.
  • Click 'BitLocker Recovery' to display the recovery key and password ID.

    Retrieve Recovery Key using Active Directory Users And Computers

You have found the Recovery key of a Windows machine using ADUC successfully.

Recovery Key Retention Policy

The recovery key is critical for data security. Even after retaining the key in the Endpoint Central server, it can be backed up in the customer’s Active Directory (both Azure AD and on-premise AD). If a computer is removed from SoM, the recovery key is retained in the server for up to one year and can be retrieved using the recovery key identifier. To enable recovery key retention, toggle the option on the Retrieve Recovery Key page. Encryption will not start until the recovery key is successfully stored in the server.

Recovery Key Retention Policy

 

If you have any further questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.

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