Surprise! A Windows BitLocker bug has returned to ruin your reboot — here’s how to get around it

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Windows 10 and 11 users are once again experiencing a frustrating bug that’s popped up several times in the past. It’s a recurring issue that many hoped had been fixed.

A problem with BitLocker started appearing after Microsoft released its security updates in October (according to Neowin). Microsoft has acknowledged the bug, specifically for users of Microsoft 365 Business and Windows 11 Enterprise – details are available through those account channels.

Microsoft has identified a recent BitLocker issue impacting several Windows versions. Specifically, it affects Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, along with Windows 10 version 22H2.

If your computer experiences an issue, you might see a blue screen asking for a recovery key the next time you start it up. Microsoft explains that some computers may automatically enter the BitLocker recovery screen, and you’ll need to enter your recovery key to continue.

From what I’ve observed, if you have your key, getting back in isn’t too difficult, and everything seems to work normally after you log in. But if you *don’t* have it, you’re going to be completely unable to access your computer – it’s a total lockout.

Computers with Intel processors and Modern Standby capability are mostly affected by this ongoing problem with BitLocker. Microsoft is now releasing a solution to address it.

If your organization is experiencing this bug, it’s best to use the Known Issue Rollback tool to resolve it.

What to do if you experience the Windows BitLocker recovery bug

It’s frustrating when your computer won’t start or restart and you’re met with the BitLocker recovery screen. When problems with BitLocker happen, it’s natural to worry about losing your files, but that’s likely not what’s happening in this situation.

If you’re seeing the BitLocker recovery screen and it’s not working correctly, you can usually find your recovery key quickly in your Microsoft account.

If you’re seeing the BitLocker recovery screen, go to aka.ms/myrecoverykey on a different device. Make sure you’re logged in with the Microsoft account linked to your computer. This will show you a list of recovery keys. Select the key for the correct PC (if you have multiple) and copy the code to unlock it.

If your account is managed by an organization, such as your workplace or school, please go to aka.ms/aadrecoverykey for assistance.

Is AI coding hurting Windows stability?

Whenever a new problem appears in Windows, I think about a claim Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made in April 2025: that artificial intelligence is already responsible for writing 20% to 30% of the company’s code.

I’m not sure if it’s causing the recent problems with Windows, but it probably isn’t making things better. We’ve seen a number of significant bugs lately.

A recent Windows security update released in August 2025 (KB5063875) caused a problem where the “Reset my PC” feature stopped working. This prevented users from being able to restore their computer to factory settings, either to reinstall the operating system or before selling it to someone else.

The latest update to Windows 11, version 25H2, released in late September, has a couple of known problems. Some users are experiencing issues playing Blu-Ray and DVDs, and others are having trouble installing updates using the WUSA tool.

Last October, a Windows 11 update (KB5066835) caused problems with local connections, preventing developers from testing websites and apps on their own computers before publishing them.

Okay, so this latest update? Not great. It completely messed up the Windows Recovery Environment – basically, when your computer’s having trouble, it’s the thing that’s supposed to help. The really frustrating part is that now, when you get to that blue screen, my USB mouse and keyboard just…stop working. So, you’re stuck with no way to actually *do* anything to fix the problem, which is a huge pain.

Microsoft has been steadily resolving issues, including a long-standing problem with the “Update and shut down” feature. They’ve also recently corrected a bug that was stopping the traditional Outlook application from opening correctly.

It’s normal for a complicated operating system like Windows to have some glitches. However, Microsoft is under extra scrutiny to deliver reliable updates now that official support for Windows 10 has ended, and because their CEO has discussed using artificial intelligence to help with coding.

FAQ

What is BitLocker?

BitLocker is a built-in encryption feature in Windows 10 and 11. It protects your data by encrypting entire drives, making it unreadable to unauthorized users and preventing data theft.

We offer guides for both Windows 10 and 11 to help you set up BitLocker correctly.

👉 How to configure BitLocker encryption on Windows 11

👉 How to configure BitLocker encryption on Windows 10

What is Modern Standby?

I’ve noticed that Windows has this feature called Modern Standby. It’s basically a really efficient sleep mode – the device uses very little power, but stays connected to the internet. It’s like it’s always half-awake, ready to respond quickly.

Modern Standby lets your PC stay connected and even play audio while using very little battery power. Unlike older sleep modes, it keeps certain parts of your computer running to handle tasks in the background, making it more responsive and efficient.

Is Windows 10 still in use?

Even though Microsoft will stop officially supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, many people worldwide continue to use it.

Microsoft is offering an additional year of free security updates for Windows 10 through its Extended Security Updates program. But keep in mind that support for Windows 10 will end completely in October 2026, so upgrading to Windows 11 will be necessary to stay protected from security threats.

👉 How to use Windows 10 ESU to keep getting updates after October 2025

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2025-11-06 18:10