Manage-bde: unlock
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8
Unlocks a BitLocker-protected drive by using a recovery password or a recovery key. For examples of how this command can be used, see Examples.
Syntax
manage-bde -unlock {-recoverypassword <Password>|-recoverykey <PathToExternalKeyFile>} <Drive> [-certificate {-cf PathToCertificateFile | -ct CertificateThumbprint} {-pin}] [-password] [-computername <Name>] [{-?|/?}] [{-help|-h}]
Parameters
Parameter |
Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
-recoverypassword |
Specifies that a recovery password will be used to unlock the drive.Abbreviation: -rp |
|
<Password> |
Represents the recovery password that can be used to unlock the drive. |
|
-recoverykey |
Specifies that an external recovery key file will be used to unlock the drive. Abbreviation: -rk |
|
<PathToExternalKeyFile> |
Represents the external recovery key file that can be used to unlock the drive. |
|
<Drive> |
Represents a drive letter followed by a colon. |
|
-certificate |
The local user certificate for a BitLocker certificate to unclock the volume is located in the locat user certificate store. Abbreviation: -cert |
|
<-cf PathToCertificateFile> |
Path to the cerficate file |
|
<-ct CertificateThumbprint> |
Certificate thumbprint which may optionally include the PIN (-pin). |
|
-password |
Presents a prompt for the password to unlock the volume. Abbreviation: -pw |
|
-computername |
Specifies that Manage-bde.exe will be used to modify BitLocker protection on a different computer. Abbreviation: -cn |
|
<Name> |
Represents the name of the computer on which to modify BitLocker protection. Accepted values include the computer's NetBIOS name and the computer's IP address. |
|
-? or /? |
Displays brief Help at the command prompt. |
|
-help or -h |
Displays complete Help at the command prompt. |
Examples
The following example illustrates using the -unlock command to unlock drive E with a recovery key file that has been saved to a backup folder on another drive.
manage-bde –unlock E: -recoverykey "F:\Backupkeys\recoverykey.bek"