When encrypting Windows boot partition (the partition where the Windows directory is located, usually C:) with BitLocker, we can choose to start Windows with BitLocker password or startup key after the encryption is complete. The BitLocker Startup Key file (.BEK) is a key file you would save on a USB drive to start Windows computer without having to enter the BitLocker recovery or password. If you lose the BitLocker Startup Key one day, you cannot retrieve the BitLocker Startup Key by default, because Microsoft has not yet implemented this feature in Windows.
Fortunately, Hasleo has already implemented the feature of export BitLocker Startup Key in BitLocker Anywhere. With this tool, you can easily export BitLocker Startup Key from BitLocker encrypted drives as long as you have the correct BitLocker recovery key, and this article will help you explain how it works.
Step 1. Download and install Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Windows.
Step 2. Launch Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere, right-click the drive letter you want to export BitLocker startup key, then click "Back up startup Key".
Step 3. Enter BitLocker Recovery Key, then click "Next".
Step 4. Select the drive where you want to back up the startup key to, then click "Save" to back up it.
With Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere, you can export BitLocker Startup Key from BitLocker Encrypted Drive not only on Windows 11/10/8/7 Home & Windows 7 Professional editions, but also on Windows 11/10/8/7 Enterprise & Windows Server editions.
A: A BitLocker Startup Key is a file (.BEK) stored on a USB flash drive that allows you to unlock a BitLocker-encrypted system partition without entering a password. You insert the USB drive every time you start your computer.
A: Yes, you must provide the BitLocker recovery key to export the startup key. This is a security measure to ensure only authorized users can export the key.
A: With Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere, you can export the startup key on Windows 11/10/8/7 Home, Professional, Enterprise, and Windows Server editions.
A: Store the startup key on a separate USB drive in a safe location. Do not keep it on the same drive you use to boot the computer, and keep it separate from the recovery key.
A: No, you can only have one active startup key per drive at a time. If you export a new startup key, it will replace the existing one.
A: If you lose both keys, you will not be able to access the encrypted drive.
A: No, the startup key is tied to the specific drive it was created for. You cannot use it to unlock BitLocker-encrypted drives on other computers.
