Solved Windows home 10 22h2 to home 11 25h2 with rufus bitlocker problem

I helped my computer naive friend (remotely) update an old dell laptop running windows 10 home 22h2 (he hasn't updated since then, and can no longer use windows update after 10 expiration) to windows 11 home 25h2 using Rufus. I set Rufus to disable bitlocker as well as other requirements for installing 11 on an old incompatible machine. The update went well and i was able to access the old laptop remotely and found no problems other than an overcrowded hard drive, but it was of course also slow. Apparently there was some kind of windows update which ran in the day or two between then and now. Now when he starts the laptop it asks for a bitlocker code (even though it is Home version which i thought did not have bitlocker function) and will not accept the bitlocker code (whose Key ID matches the Key ID on the prompt) from his microsoft account which was registered in 2017 (when i guess he got the laptop). Any suggestions? I have thought to create a rescue boot USB to see if i could somehow repair install again with Rufus, but more expert advice is greatly welcomed.

Skim through the comments in this tutorial.

Has he turned off "device encryption" - it's turned on automatically during install. No bitlocker key needed for that. He shouldn't have bitlocker on Home.

Thanks. I'll look into both those possibilities tomorrow. Too dizzy now to try to continue to watch over FaceTime from his unsteady iphone while he manipulates the laptop with one hand. lol.

When you're next doing it, if he just types "Device encryption" into the search bar in settings, it'll come up. Select that and it'll probably be on. Click to turn it off and wait - it takes a while.

Hazel123 said:

Has he turned off "device encryption" - it's turned on automatically during install. No bitlocker key needed for that. He shouldn't have bitlocker on Home.

Click to expand...

Rufus (or Windows) setting to disable encryption works for both BitLocker and Device Encryption.

But if this was an in-place upgrade (not a clean install), then it doesn't apply because Rufus performs this using an unattended file. Unattended files don't have any effect during in-place upgrades.

Thanks again. It was an in-place upgrade, not a clean install. And so far have been unable to get past the bitlocker screen to enter anything. That screen also says "esc" for other options then "F2" for bios and "F8" for other option, but i haven't been able to see what since he has a hard time pressing Fn and F2/F8 keys (I guess we take a lot of simple skills for granted). May be able to get into bios settings.

Problem solved!! I found this: Dell Bitlocker Problem
Thanks to the originator of this solution. I've included the germain information here for anyone who might run into this problem in the future:
Bitlocker prompting for a recovery key, which you do not have

* Restart the system
* At the Dell Logo keep tapping F2
* You will enter the BIOS screen
* Go to Secure Boot header, expand and select Expert Key Management
* Click the Restore Settings button
* Select Factory Settings
* Press OK
* Exit the BIOS and restart