Solved Can the bitlocker key be backed up when bitlocker is NOT turned on?

VinceB · Apr 29, 2026

I recently did a DELL factory reset.
I have bitlocker turned off.
When attempting to backup, I see:

Can the bitlocker key be backed up when bitlocker is NOT turned on?

glasskuter · Apr 29, 2026

No because no key is active if bitlocker is off.

garlin · Apr 29, 2026

The manage-bde command will confirm if you don't have a BitLocker key:

Code:

> manage-bde -protectors -get C:
BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool version 10.0.26100
Copyright (C) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Volume C: []
All Key Protectors

ERROR: No key protectors found.

Slavic · Apr 29, 2026

garlin said:
The manage-bde command will confirm if you don't have a BitLocker key:

Does it mean that the key is generated every time when BitLocker is activated? If so, the saved key becomes useless if the worked BitLocker was turned off and then back on.

VinceB · Apr 29, 2026

glasskuter said:
No because no key is active if bitlocker is off.

Does that apply if bitlocker had been turned on (it was in my case, and I recently turned it off) ?

glasskuter · Apr 29, 2026

Slavic said:
Does it mean that the key is generated every time when BitLocker is activated? If so, the saved key becomes useless if the worked BitLocker was turned off and then back on.

That is correct. Co-pilot explains it like this.

Yes — a brand‑new BitLocker recovery key is generated every time you turn BitLocker on, even if you previously had it enabled before.

That’s because the recovery key is tied to the specific encryption session and protector set created when BitLocker initializes. When you turn BitLocker off, the drive is fully decrypted and all previous protectors (including the old recovery key) are deleted. When you turn it on again, Windows creates a new encryption key and a new recovery key.

VinceB · Apr 29, 2026

garlin said:
The manage-bde command will confirm if you don't have a BitLocker key:

Code:

> manage-bde -protectors -get C: BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool version 10.0.26100 Copyright (C) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Volume C: [] All Key Protectors ERROR: No key protectors found.

How is the manage-bde command given? I am not a Geek/Guru ~!~

I am a novice.

EDITed: OKay: I GOOGLED and found the answer.

garlin · Apr 29, 2026

I never had BitLocker enabled on my test system.

1. Enabling BitLocker creates a new key.

Code:

Volume C: []
All Key Protectors

    TPM:
      ID: {2AB725F4-C578-47B4-BC44-0999195C1CBB}
      PCR Validation Profile:
        0, 2, 4, 11

    Numerical Password:
      ID: {00C96152-0FAD-4A2C-BDCE-72C7A9A05875}
      Password:
        305173-273867-479919-444202-713878-315524-436777-228228
      Backup type:
        Saved to file

2. Disabling (not suspending) BitLocker deletes the key.

Code:

Volume C: []
All Key Protectors

ERROR: No key protectors found.

3. Re-enabling BitLocker creates a different key.

Code:

Volume C: []
All Key Protectors

    TPM:
      ID: {5D78AC42-789E-436B-A4F0-6C1A25544727}
      PCR Validation Profile:
        0, 2, 4, 11

    Numerical Password:
      ID: {63236E39-D8EA-497F-B49B-8C2352A6D9CB}
      Password:
        607574-689469-104148-496518-358600-025762-045089-221991
      Backup type:
        Saved to file

This is from my test VM, so I'm not endangering myself by revealing my BitLocker password.

garlin · Apr 29, 2026

VinceB said:
How is the manage-bde command given? I am not a Geek/Guru ~!~
I am a novice.

You can run it (as Admin) from CMD or PowerShell.

Solved Can the bitlocker key be backed up when bitlocker is NOT turned on?

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