Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Windows security update is triggering some computers to demand a BitLocker recovery key upon startup. This issue primarily affects users on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows 10 version 22H2, who have installed updates released on or after October 14, 2025.

Upon restarting their devices, affected users are confronted with a prompt asking for their BitLocker recovery key. BitLocker is a security measure that encrypts a hard drive to make it more secure if somebody steals a computer or gets unauthorized physical access. Microsoft says once the correct key is entered and the device restarts, it will boot normally without any further prompts. (Source: neowin.net)

Who is Affected?

The problem does not appear to be widespread but is specific to a certain hardware configuration. According to Microsoft, the bug predominantly impacts Intel-based devices that support the "Modern Standby" or "Connected Standby" feature.

This power management function allows devices to stay connected to a network while in a low-power state, enabling quicker resume times and background activity.

This issue is a recurring one, with similar incidents having been reported in previous years, including May of 2025, as well as in 2024 and 2022.

Microsoft's Response

Microsoft is actively investigating the root cause of the problem and has initiated a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) for some affected devices. For corporate environments, IT administrators can use a special group policy to prevent the bug from affecting their systems.

For individual users, it is crucial to have the BitLocker recovery key accessible, as not having it could risk an ongoing inability to access files. Users can typically find their recovery key stored online within their Microsoft account. (Source: tomshardware.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Have you been affected by this BitLocker recovery issue after a recent Windows update? Do you know where your BitLocker recovery key is stored? Should Microsoft do more to prevent recurring update issues like this one?