After 'upgrade' to full W11, Hung at PIN, zero options for password, network, anything even after recovery key

First time in a long time I've been utterly handcuffed: I'm trying to properly setup HP 15 laptop, new, from BBuy, that has Windows 11 S, which "successfully" I upgraded. I won't say all was well because it came from HP with bitlocker-enabled [in a retail chain?? that's a prescription for unlimited service calls] insidious control freaking HP packages controlling everything and denying the user much of anything. AFTER upgrading to Windows 11, on a restart for some simple reason, I get blue [background not hang] Screen with one option, enter PIN. The only thing below that field is "Reset PIN". The same PIN that worked before doesn't because it is not on the network and has no Ethernet port [or at least the best guess is 'because not on net']. There is no network option icon next to the power/restart icon at lower right. I signed on to MS on one of the other units and got the recovery key, selected the hung device, entered the recovery key and got the success message. STILL HUNG.

is there a key combination to either pull up network options or enter PASSWORD?
how do I break it? I tried boot from usb, it worked, but the drives are invisible [bitlocker I assume] so nothing can work, because "there are no drives"
Options are enabled in setup to allow most anything now

pls advise!! thanks

Bitlocker is activated by default on Win 11.

Can you clarify "not on the network" and how this may affect the PIN ?

Can you enter the BIOS to use the recovery option ? (as I understand the system will boot) May want to contact Best Buy Geeks or HP Customer Support.

Also, check below tutorial.

csun said:

Bitlocker is activated by default on Win 11.

Click to expand...

Apparently it's activated by default on laptops that support Modern Standby.

Here's an old thread about it.

cognus said:

... because it came from HP with bitlocker-enabled [in a retail chain?? that's a prescription for unlimited service calls] insidious control freaking HP packages controlling everything and denying the user much of anything.

Click to expand...

NOTE : Using Macrium Reflect, create an image of the current drive (warts and all) and also create a boot recovery USB. Make sure you select the option to include drivers on the boot USB.

A classic example of why NOT to upgrade but do a clean install, especially in relation to the HP bloatware. For the HP 15 you will need to make sure you have drivers for the storage device (not one of the default/generic drivers in the Windows installation)

Just add the driver files in a folder on the boot USB. When it gets to the point of looking for a drive, it'll say no drive is installed. Navigate to the driver folder on the USB, run the driver installation files, and continue with the clean install. There is no need to try and integrate the driver files into the Windows installation program, it can be accessed from its own separate folder on the boot USB when you need it.

EDIT : Specs txt file for my original HP 15 drivers
*ID#647588-Intel Rapid Storage Technology 18.6.1.1016 Production Version Release.
*Package#647585-18.6.1.1016_20H2_21H2 PV.
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology 18.6.1.1016 Production Version Release
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology 18.6.1.1016 Production Version Release
ID 647588
Updated 2021-08-31
Version 18.6.1.1016_20H2_21H2 PV

Files in package
iaStorAfs.sys
iaStorAfsNative.exe
iaStorAfsService.exe
iaStorVD.cat
iaStorVD.inf
iaStorVD.sys
Optane.dll
OptaneEventLogMsg.dll
RstMwEventLogMsg.dll
RstMwService.exe
VER.txt
may help you find the driver file package. Just check your device specs first to make sure they're the same. Program called Speccy might help with that