Using tools is a highly effective, free method to regain access to your data. By booting from a USB, you bypass the OS and interact directly with the encrypted drive.
What (if any) you see when trying to unlock it? Do you have the 48-digit recovery key ready? What brand/model of computer are you working on?
That said, here are some general steps and considerations if you're looking to use Sergei Strelec or similar tools for accessing a BitLocker-locked drive:
What to do when BitLocker is activated without a recovery key?
"Time for the rescue kit," Alex muttered, reaching for a weathered USB drive. On it lived the Sergei Strelec WinPE sergei strelec bitlocker unlock
manage-bde -unlock C: -rp XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX With Password : Use this command to prompt for a password: manage-bde -unlock C: -password 3. Decrypting the Drive
If the GUI fails, use the manage-bde tool included in the PE:
How to Unlock BitLocker Using Sergei Strelec’s WinPE: A Complete Guide
Why would someone need to do this in a WinPE environment? There are several common scenarios: Using tools is a highly effective, free method
Identify your locked drive letter by typing diskpart and then list volume . Type exit to leave Diskpart.
What do you see when trying to unlock the drive?
I can provide the exact commands or tool names based on your situation. Share public link
Type manage-bde -status and press Enter. Locate your locked drive (e.g., C: or D:). Do you have the 48-digit recovery key ready
Once the desktop loads, you have two primary ways to unlock the drive: using the Command Prompt or a specialized GUI tool. Method A: Using Command Prompt (Recommended)
Locate your locked hard drive (it will typically display a gold padlock icon). Double-click the drive. A prompt will appear asking for your BitLocker password.
If you prefer not to use the command line, Sergei Strelec includes graphical tools: Open the -> All Programs . Navigate to Hard Disk Tools or System Management . Look for BitLocker Manager or Manage-bde GUI . Select the locked drive and enter the recovery key. Troubleshooting BitLocker Unlock Issues