- Step 1: Create a bootable WinPE media (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) for recovering data from BitLocker encrypted drive
- Run Hasleo Data Recovery from the bootable WinPE media (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) to recover data
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To ensure data security, the Windows partition on my computer is full encrypted with BitLocker. Yesterday, because of a power failure, Windows crashed and I tried to fix it many times, but it still wasn't able to boot. I have to reinstall the Windows system, but there are many important files in the Windows desktop and Documentation directory that I have to back up. Is there any way to back up or restore files from a BitLocker encrypted partition?
There are many reasons why Windows crashes, including virus attacks, hard disk failure, corrupt file system, abnormal system shutdown, and abrupt power failure, etc. After the Windows system is not able to start, we usually use the bootable WinPE media (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) to recover data from Windows partition. However, if the Windows partition is encrypted with BitLocker Drive Encryption, can we still create a BitLocker data recovery bootable disk (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) to recover data from the BitLocker encrypted partition? The answer is yes, how to do it, please refer to the guide below.
Step 1: Create a bootable WinPE media (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) for recovering data from BitLocker encrypted drive
1. Download, install, and run the free/trial version of Hasleo Data Recovery.
2. Click 
> "Create Emergency Disk".
3. Select "USB" to create an emergency USB drive, or "Explore ISO" to export the ISO file to your preferred location. Configure other options as needed, then click "Proceed".
Tips:
- The Download WinPE Component option allows you to download WinPE components, rather than sourcing them from your local system.
- The Enable support for 'Windows UEFI CA 2023' option allows you to create bootable media that complies with Microsoft's UEFI CA 2023 secure signature standard. This enables the media to pass Secure Boot verification on systems that trust only this new certificate.
4. Hasleo Data Recovery begins creating WinPE image. Please wait patiently as this may take some time.
5. If you choose to create an emergency USB disk, Hasleo Data Recovery will prompt you to format the USB drive before proceeding. If you confirm, please select "Yes".
6. Hasleo Data Recovery is now creating your emergency USB disk or exporting the ISO file.
7. Wait for the process to complete.
Tips: Once the ISO file has been exported, you can manually burn it to a CD, DVD, or USB drive using third-party burning software such as Hasleo WinToUSB or Nero Burning ROM.
Step 2: Run Hasleo Data Recovery from the bootable WinPE media (ISO/CD/DVD/USB) to recover data from a BitLocker-encrypted drive when your computer fails to boot or Windows crashes.
1. Insert the Hasleo BitLocker Data Recovery WinPE bootable USB drive into the computer that cannot be started. Alternatively, put the Hasleo Data Recovery WinPE bootable CD/DVD into the computer's optical drive.
2. Restart the computer and enter UEFI/BIOS setup. Change the boot order to prioritize CD/DVD or USB drive as the first boot device. Save changes and exit BIOS.
3. The computer will automatically restart and boot into the Hasleo BitLocker Data Recovery environment. Now you can recover all your lost data by following the user's Guide below.
How to Recover Deleted/Lost Files From BitLocker Encrypted Drive?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Use bootable recovery when: Windows won't boot due to system crash or corruption, the BitLocker drive is the system drive and is locked, Windows is infected with malware preventing access, the drive has bad sectors causing Windows to freeze, you need to recover data from a crashed system, or Windows updates have caused BitLocker to become inaccessible. Bootable recovery operates independently of Windows, allowing access to encrypted drives even when the OS fails.
A: To create a bootable BitLocker recovery disk: 1) Download and install Hasleo Data Recovery on a working computer, 2) Launch the software and click 'Create Bootable Disk', 3) Select USB, ISO, or burn to CD/DVD, 4) Follow the wizard to complete creation, 5) Boot the target computer from the created media (change BIOS boot order to USB or CD/DVD), 6) The WinPE environment will load and you can run the BitLocker recovery feature.
A: No, bootable recovery still requires the BitLocker password or 48-digit recovery key to decrypt the drive. The bootable disk allows you to access and scan the encrypted drive, but without credentials, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible. You can check if the drive shows any unencrypted partitions or attempt recovery if the encryption metadata is corrupted (success not guaranteed).
A: Bootable recovery advantages: bypasses Windows OS completely—no boot issues affect recovery, runs from read-only media protecting original drives from writes, can access system drives that Windows locks during boot, avoids Windows-level encryption complications, more reliable for drives with bad sectors, and can recover data even from heavily corrupted Windows installations. The isolated WinPE environment ensures the recovery software has full access to all drives.
A: To boot from recovery media: 1) Insert the USB or DVD into the target computer, 2) Restart the computer and press the appropriate key (F2, F12, DEL, ESC depending on manufacturer) to enter BIOS/UEFI setup, 3) Navigate to Boot menu and change boot order to prioritize USB or DVD, 4) Save settings and exit, 5) The computer will boot from the recovery media and load WinPE, 6) Run Hasleo Data Recovery from the desktop and follow the BitLocker recovery steps. You may need to disable Secure Boot in UEFI settings if it blocks the bootable media.
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